205
good candidates for a survey of deliberate solsticial or equinoctial orientations. Of
the 19 temples included in the Sicilian sample (Fig. 5), the declinations closest to
the equinoxes belong to the temple of Hera in Selinunte (sixth century BCE) and the
temples of Concordia and Herakles or Zeus in Agrigento (fifth century BCE).
Belmonte (chapter 2 this volume) discusses an alternative idea for the orientation of
the temples in Selinunte, one not linked to astronomical considerations. We cannot
determine with certainty the reasons behind the orientation of these temples.
However, we notice a general preference within a week from the equinoxes when
isolating the Sicilian temple sample.
Of interest is also the southern cluster of data in the Ionic dataset. More orientations than those in the Doric order (relevant to the sample’s size) fall between −35°
to −47°: nine readings in total (Fig. 2) compared to 12 of the Doric sample, which
is almost three times greater. This conclusion cannot be explained by the movement
of the sun. It can also not be explained by regional, or chronological parameters,
since it includes orientations from structures located in the Aegean islands (Delos,
Lemnos, Naxos (four orientations from three different sanctuaries)) and Asia Minor
(Miletos and Pergamon), which span from the Archaic to the Roman periods.
Similarly, these structures are dedicated to different gods, even some of Egyptian
origin, so a preference based on the deity venerated cannot be concluded. The
0
1
2
3
-60.0
-55.0
-50.0
-45.0
-40.0
-35.0
-30.0
-25.0
-20.0
-15.0
-10.0
-5.0
0.0
5.0
10.0
15.0
20.0
25.0
30.0
35.0
40.0
45.0
50.0
55.0
60.0
65.0
70.0
Declination
Declinations of 13 Ionic orientations
Fig. 4 Graph showing the distribution of only eastern Ionic orientations
0
1
2
3
4
5
-60.0
-55.0
-50.0
-45.0
-40.0
-35.0
-30.0
-25.0
-20.0
-15.0
-10.0
-5.0
0.0
5.0
10.0
15.0
20.0
25.0
30.0
35.0
40.0
45.0
50.0
55.0
60.0
65.0
70.0
Declination
Declinations of 19 Doric temples in Sicily
Fig. 5 Graph showing the distribution of Doric temple orientations from Sicily
An Investigation of the Role of Architectural Orders in Greek Temple Orientation
good candidates for a survey of deliberate solsticial or equinoctial orientations. Of
the 19 temples included in the Sicilian sample (Fig. 5), the declinations closest to
the equinoxes belong to the temple of Hera in Selinunte (sixth century BCE) and the
temples of Concordia and Herakles or Zeus in Agrigento (fifth century BCE).
Belmonte (chapter 2 this volume) discusses an alternative idea for the orientation of
the temples in Selinunte, one not linked to astronomical considerations. We cannot
determine with certainty the reasons behind the orientation of these temples.
However, we notice a general preference within a week from the equinoxes when
isolating the Sicilian temple sample.
Of interest is also the southern cluster of data in the Ionic dataset. More orientations than those in the Doric order (relevant to the sample’s size) fall between −35°
to −47°: nine readings in total (Fig. 2) compared to 12 of the Doric sample, which
is almost three times greater. This conclusion cannot be explained by the movement
of the sun. It can also not be explained by regional, or chronological parameters,
since it includes orientations from structures located in the Aegean islands (Delos,
Lemnos, Naxos (four orientations from three different sanctuaries)) and Asia Minor
(Miletos and Pergamon), which span from the Archaic to the Roman periods.
Similarly, these structures are dedicated to different gods, even some of Egyptian
origin, so a preference based on the deity venerated cannot be concluded. The
0
1
2
3
-60.0
-55.0
-50.0
-45.0
-40.0
-35.0
-30.0
-25.0
-20.0
-15.0
-10.0
-5.0
0.0
5.0
10.0
15.0
20.0
25.0
30.0
35.0
40.0
45.0
50.0
55.0
60.0
65.0
70.0
Declination
Declinations of 13 Ionic orientations
Fig. 4 Graph showing the distribution of only eastern Ionic orientations
0
1
2
3
4
5
-60.0
-55.0
-50.0
-45.0
-40.0
-35.0
-30.0
-25.0
-20.0
-15.0
-10.0
-5.0
0.0
5.0
10.0
15.0
20.0
25.0
30.0
35.0
40.0
45.0
50.0
55.0
60.0
65.0
70.0
Declination
Declinations of 19 Doric temples in Sicily
Fig. 5 Graph showing the distribution of Doric temple orientations from Sicily
An Investigation of the Role of Architectural Orders in Greek Temple Orientation