The Historical Review of Sparta 2024

The third issue of “The Historical Review of Sparta” deals with ancient Greek polytheism in Sparta and in the Peloponnese. Specifically, by focusing on ancient religion, it aims to analyse and discuss gods, cults, rites and sanctuaries attested in the Lacedaemonian polis, exploring them in the light of their socioeconomic, political, military significances and implications. Therefore, the present volume critically illustrates several yet interconnected aspects of the Spartan sacred realm. Some contributions intend to shed light on the complex relation between kingship and gods, stressing the propagandistic side of divine worship. Other papers examine Spartan sanctuaries, also from a political, military and economic standpoint, in some cases highlighting the architectural, artisanal and artistic productions connected to the consecrated spaces. Finally, some of the articles aim to assess religion’s impact over the management of the polis’ urban organisation and societal structure, together with the role of cult in controlling the surrounding territory. By doing so, the current issue of the Journal means to provide a throughout and multifaceted reconstruction of ancient religious practices in ancient Sparta and the Peloponnese, from different perspectives, from the Archaic age until the Roman phase.