Article Abstract:
In addition to the terracotta figurines found during excavation of the Sanctuary of Demeter and Persephone at Cyrene a great deal of pottery was found. While the figurines were clearly votive offerings, the function of the pottery requires examination. Large Athenian black-figure vases as well as fine Corinthian miniature vases were clearly offerings also since their size precluded any useful function. Other pottery of utilitarian size may have been used for eating which was well-known to take place in Greek temples or, it may have been given as an offering following its use.
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Article Abstract:
The coins found in the Sanctuary of Demeter and Persephone at Cyrene reflect the nature of worship there as well as the economics and politics of the time. A large number of silver coins of high value were scattered through the debris which is probably explained as part of a deposit broken up during the earthquake. Such a deposit would have been a votive offering rather than a private hoard. When Cyrenaica became an Egyptian province in 258 BC, this was reflected by the appearance of Ptolomy Soter on bronze coins in the sanctuary.
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Article Abstract:
A large number of terracotta figurines were found during the excavation of the Sanctuary of Demeter and Persephone at Cyrene, and these shed considerable light on the history of religious expression, commerce and social change in Cyrenaica. Early figurines are found intact while later ones are found without heads. This represents a change in ritual cult practices. The distinctive clay of the figurines and their typologies suggest that Cyrene was a center of vigorous trade with wide ties to the Greek world.
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