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The planned astronomical orientation and positioning of all kinds of monuments was proved by numerous investigations all over the world since the 19th century. Some cult, social or utilitarian purposes dictate a concrete orientation for each one. In this paper are being determined the individual orientation and the dating of Parthenon and He-phaisteion as well as a strong relationship between these significant monuments of the classical era is emerged. The exceptional symmetric placing of these monuments, as proved by this research, in ancient Athens is truly remarkable. Thus the strong religious relationship between the temples is also geometrically documented. The modern instru-mentation used today and the special developed astrogeodetic methodology permit the accurate (some arc seconds) determination of a monument’s orientation. Additionally this fact may be also a long discussion between archaeologists, archaeoastronomers and humanists.
This paper re-visits the generally accepted view that the normal orientation of ancient Greek temples is towards the east, through a general analysis of 107 Greek temple orientations collected by the author. The paper also attempts to establish whether there existed a general principle that related to specific astronomical observations and could have determined the orientation of Greek temples. The analysis applies archaeoastronomical methodology in investigating orientation patterns of Greek temples from the Geometric to the Hellenistic periods in Greece. These first results show that the sun does not seem to have played as a decisive role in the orientation of temples as currently thought. Instead, there appears to be a much larger variation than accounted for at present that cannot be simply explained by the concept of the predominance of eastern orientations. It is concluded that all-encompassing interpretations do not appear to apply in Greek religion and cult practices, and that the study of Greek cult needs to account for local variations, traditions and landscapes.
Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage
A FURTHER APPLICATION OF <italic>GOOGLE EARTH</italic><sup>1</sup> IN STUDYING THE ORIENTATION OFANCIENT GREEK MONUMENTSI have measured orientations of the diagonals of Greek temples using a larger sample than before (Ranieri 2010), amounting to 200 temples, including several Treasures and Megarons. In addition, for each temple, I have used the best plan among those obtainable from the archives of archaeological journals, archaeological reports, and books. This approach has allowed more accurate and reliable geometrical analyses. The results show 57 temples with an unequivocally cardinally oriented main axis. Among the remaining 143 temples, 103 (72% of 143) have their diagonal cardinally oriented, with a standard deviation of about ± 2.5°. For the other 40 temples (28% of 143), the cardinal orientation can be attributed to the diagonals of half of the rectangle of the temple. The results point to a generalized topographical practice of establishing, as the first activity prior to construction , a cardinally oriented line on the terrain.
SSRN Electronic Journal
New Models to Explain the Alignments of Greek TemplesAn analysis of over fifty Greek temple and other archaeological sites reveal that one-third (33%) are aligned to the cardinal directions, solstices, and lunar standstills. The others are largely unexplained in terms of current theories. We consider three alternative models that are able to account for the alignment of all but one of the other sites. The first, which assumes certain sites were aligned in the direction of the geomagnetic pole using some form of magnetic compass at the time of construction, accounts for approximately 10% of unexplained alignments. The second, which considers the possibility that ancient sites were aligned to older oracles or other centers of spiritual significance, reveals that a significant fraction (42%) appear to face in directions toward the Amun Temple in Siwa, the Cave of Zeus and Mt. Ida on Crete, Dodoni, Delphi, and Mycenae. Alignments of the remaining 15% of the sites have no conventional explanation. An analysis of these sites reveals that all but one are aligned in directions that reference previous hypothesized locations of the North Pole.
A novel view of the Parthenon’s structure is taken in this paper. Instead of analyzing the Parthenon’s final configuration, either in its various reconstructions or in its current condition, the study draws the Temple’s 3-d skeletal structure. Based on that sketch plan, the Parthenon’s modulus and its grid pattern are derived. In closely examining this skeletal morphology, a number of findings emerge. The Parthenon was built on the basis of a critical ratio and a set of inter-connected angles, generated by following a set of instructions. Utilizing the sketch plan (the Parthenon’s skeleton), the paper provides a mathematical optimization formulation, involving an objective function and a set of constraints. On the basis of that problem, one can derive, through the associated efficiency conditions, the entire Parthenon structure. Along the way, some topics of mathematical interest are presented and partially elaborated. Suggestions for further research are also provided. Erratum: On page 20, line 8, the following correction is made as the line should read: "...applied in ratios: M1:M2:M3 as 3.80:4.06: 4.16..."
Mediterranean Archaeology and Archaeometry (MAA)
The role of urban topography in the orientation of Greek temples: the cases of Akragas and Selinunte2016 •
It is well known that the vast majority of the Greek temples of Sicily are oriented to the rising sun. However the factors which influenced the specific orientation of each temple or of each group of temples can be of var-ious nature and no general key is actually applicable. In particular, we show here the role of local topogra-phy in orientation, trough two relevant case-studies: the temples of the urban sector of the Valley of the Temples, Akragas, and the temples of Selinunte.
2014 •
In the capital of Greece, Athens several monuments of some astronomical significance are preserved till now. These onuments are: the Athenian Calendar in Panagia Gorgoëpikoos or St. Eleftherios church, the clepsydrae of the Ancient Agora Museum in Athens, the seven sundials of the National Archaeological Museum of Athens and the sundial on the south slope of the Acropolis hill. The Athenian Calendar in Panagia Gorgoëpikoos church is a personified relief depiction which refers to the months, the seasons, the weather conditions, the daily occupations of the Athenian people and to the zodiacal signs; the clepsydrae of the Ancient Agora Museum was an instrument for the measurement of time in the ancient law courts; the sundials of the Archaeological Museum of Athens, the Acropolis’ sundial and the sundials of the Tower of the Winds used for time measurements in sunny days. From the study of the geometrical characteristics of these astronomical monuments specific information concerning the measurement of time in antiquity is obtained.
European Journal of Architecture and Urban Planning
Deciphering the Greek Temple: Verification with Software Tools of the Solar Design of the Parthenon in Athens and the Temple of Zeus in OlympiaIn Greek temples, compositional order and Pythagorean geometry were used to achieve regularity, proportion and beauty, combining exact magnitudes between the parts and the whole. It is also known that all the temples were oriented with great precision. However, the diverse reasons for their construction makes their astronomical orientation more difficult to interpret. In this research, the Parthenon in Athens (447-436 BC) and the Temple of Zeus in Olympia (470-456 BC) were analysed with solar simulation software. Comparing the results obtained, it is verified that both temples were designed and oriented following a plan: to facilitate the symbolic use of sunlight for the veneration of the goddess Athena and the god Zeus on the dates of the celebration of certain religious rituals. Verification was performed using a process that allows its extrapolation to similar analyses of any other Greek temple.
Oxford Postgraduate Conference in Assyriology
Assyrian and biblical chronologies are they reliable?2015 •
Academia Letters
The policy of Russia towards North Korea in years 2009-20192021 •
2024 •
Adventist Today
The Biblical Case for Faithful Disobedience: Learning from Exodus 32 | Adventist Today 32.1 (2024): 26-29.2024 •
Perspektif Ilmu Pendidikan
Optimalisasi Kebutuhan Murid Dan Hasil Belajar Dengan Pembelajaran BerdiferensiasiΜοντέλο επιχειρηματολογίας Stephen Toulmin
Μοντέλο επιχειρηματολογίας Stephen Toulmin2021 •
2018 •
2019 •
Journal of Advances in Environmental Health Research
Microplastics and Microrubbers in Soils Around Two Landfills and a Municipal Solid Waste Transfer Station in Ahvaz Metropolis, Iran2022 •
Fertility and Sterility
Effect of letrozole for prevention of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in a rat model2013 •
Journal of Biotechnology
Employing in vitro directed molecular evolution for the selection of α-amylase variant inhibitors with activity toward cotton boll weevil enzyme2013 •
Enterprenuership Journal For Finance and Bussiness
التكامل بين تقنيتي محاسبة استهلاك الموارد RCA والهندسة المتزامنة CEودوره في تخفيض تكاليف الانتاج – بالتطبيق على الصناعات النسيجية في العراق2022 •
Pesquisa Odontológica Brasileira
Applicability of 3D-CT facial reconstruction for forensic individual identification