Listed 5 sub titles with search on: Monuments reported by ancient authors for wider area of: "FIGALIA Ancient city ILIA" .
FIGALIA (Ancient city) ILIA
Here there is a sanctuary of Artemis Saviour with a standing image of stone. From this sanctuary it is their custom to start their processions.
Where the Lymax falls into the Neda is the sanctuary of Eurynome,
a holy spot from of old and difficult of approach because of the roughness of
the ground. Eurynome is believed by the people of Phigalia to be a surname of
Artemis. Those of them, however, to whom have descended ancient traditions, declare
that Eurynome was a daughter of Ocean. On the same day in each year they open
the sanctuary of Eurynome, but at any other time it is a transgression for them
to open it.On this occasion sacrifices also are offered by the state and by individuals.
I did not arrive at the season of the festival, and I did not see the image of
Eurynome; but the Phigalians told me that golden chains bind the wooden image,
which represents a woman as far as the hips, but below this a fish. If she is
a daughter of Ocean, and lives with Thetis in the depth of the sea, the fish may
be regarded as a kind of emblem of her. But there could be no probable connection
between such a shape and Artemis.
The image of Hermes in the gymnasium is like to one dressed in a cloak; but the statue does not end in feet, but in the square shape.
A temple also of Dionysus is here, who by the inhabitants is surnamed Acratophorus, but the lower part of the image cannot be seen for laurel-leaves and ivy. As much of it as can be seen is painted . . . with cinnabar to shine. It is said to be found by the Iberians along with the gold.
In the market-place of Phigalia there is also a common tomb of the picked men of Oresthasium, and every year they sacrifice to them as to heroes.
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