Greek temples

• What is a sanctuary in the context of Greek temples?

  A holy area in a city or town that contained a temple and an altar to a god.
• How was the sanctuary typically separated from the rest of the city?

  By a wall.
• Did sanctuaries have to be dedicated to only one god or goddess?

  No, they could have temples to more than one god.
• What was the primary purpose of a temple in ancient Greece?

  To house the cult statue of a god.
• What was the significance of the temple for the Greeks?

  It was considered the god's place on earth when they left Mount Olympus.
• Who was allowed inside the temple?

  Only priests.
• What are the main components of a Greek temple's structure?

  • Plinth
  • Steps
  • Colonnade
  • Cella
  • Opisthedomes
• How were Greek temples typically oriented?

  From east to west to follow the sun.
• What was the most important part of the sanctuary for the populace?

  The altar.
• Could an altar exist without a temple?

  Yes, the altar could exist in its own right.
• What activities took place at the altar?

  Sacrifices and offerings to the gods.
• What were the two types of priests in ancient Greece?

  Priest (lerus) and Priestess (lereia).
• What was the main job of the priests and priestesses?

  To ensure that the correct ritual was carried out at the correct time.
• What types of offerings did the Greeks give to the gods?

  Gifts of money, dedications of song, or spoils of war.
• What was the main offering made to the gods?

  A blood sacrifice.
• What are the stages of completing a blood sacrifice?

  1. Preparation

  2. The kill

  3. Sharing of the sacrifice
• Which areas of the temple were primarily decorated?


  The pediments and friezes.
• How were the designs of the pediments and friezes typically chosen?

  They were usually associated with the city or the god the temple was dedicated to.
• Where were the pediments located on a temple?

  At the ends of the temple.
• What is a frieze in the context of Greek temples?

  A continuous strip of sculptured stone or marble that ran around the whole temple.