PLACES OF BELONGING: ARCHAEOHISTORICAL ENCOUNTERS WITH THE LAKEDAIMONIANS AT THE MYCENAEAN PALACE OF AGHIOS VASILEIOS AND THE SANCTUARY OF APOLLO AT AMYKLES

This article explores the early history of the Lakedaimonians through the lens of two archaeological sites: the recently discovered Mycenaean palace at Aghios Vasileios near Xirokambi and the Sanctuary of Apollo Amyklaios on the hilltop of Aghia Kyriaki near modern Amykles. From their first appearance in the Linear B record to late Archaic times, the Lakedaimonians were a group that underwent significant changes in size and shape. In this sense, I argue, they were not dissimilar to other Greek ethne. As the seat of the wanax of the Lakedaimonians, the palace near Xirokambi provided the initial focal point of sentiments of togetherness. Seven kilometres to the north, cult activity on the hilltop of Aghia Kyriaki at Amykles overlapped with the history of the palace for about two generations; the two sites were in conversation with one another. With the demise of the palace, Amyklai gradually absorbed the role of a Lakedaimonian memory place, instilling people with a lively sense of belonging. The rise of Sparta deeply altered the picture. Yet Amyklai retained its quality as a prime location of Lakedaimonian legacies. Discussion of the ritual script of its festivals, most notably the Hyakinthia, highlights the long-term sentiments, conditions, and beliefs as they prevailed in the local horizon. In tracing these developments, this article takes a decentred perspective on the Eurotas corridor, beyond prominent focalisation on Sparta. It accentuates the role of place before the backdrop of omnipresent spatial dynamics and diachronic change.