Susanne Bocher, "Dinge zwischen Menschen und Göttern. Zu Deutungsansätzen für Dedikationspraktiken in frühen griechischen Heiligtümern", in: Svend Hansen, Daniel Neumann and Tilmann Vachta (Eds.), Raum, Gabe und Erinnerung. Weihgaben und Heiligtümer in prähistorischen und antiken Gesellschaften, Berlin: Edition Topoi, 2016, 265–279

Abstract

Interactions between humans and deities are characterized by abstract and material elements of performative acts. The abstract elements vanish into oblivion, since they are not written down, whereas the material remnants of ritual acts, in the archaeological context, can withstand the test of time in some circumstances. Both elements are found in the worship practices of ancient Greece. This article uses historical and archaeological sources to visualize and reconstruct some correlations between devotees, votive offerings, and deities. It includes various theories and reflections on gift exchange and sacrificial offerings. The sanctuary of Olympia in western Greece, with its qualitatively and quantitatively outstanding votive finds, serves as a point of reference. The find group of sheet-bronze headbands is examined as an example for the treatment of votives in ritual acts.

Published In

Svend Hansen, Daniel Neumann and Tilmann Vachta (Eds.), Raum, Gabe und Erinnerung. Weihgaben und Heiligtümer in prähistorischen und antiken Gesellschaften, Berlin: Edition Topoi, 2016