Ancient Sacred Sites in the Gulf of Naples: The Sanctuary of Athena at Punta Campanella

Pre-Roman Sorrento was a crucial point of passage between the gulfs of Naples and Salerno, with sacred sites and scattered settlements developing around the inhabited center, including the sanctuary of Athena on the peninsula near Punta Campanella. This book explores the historical development of the sanctuary from the 6th century BC to the 1st century AD, drawing on unpublished archaeological documentation and literary sources. It was one of the best-known places of worship in ancient Italy and was only discovered in the 1980s due to an Oscan inscription with a dedication to Minerva. The analysis of archaeological documentation, new archaeological plans, and material culture from the site helps to better understand the development and importance of the sanctuary, which will be of particular interest to archaeologists, ancient historians, and historians of religion.

Format: Hardback
Length: 136 pages
Publication date: 07 December 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The strategic geographical location between the Gulfs of Naples and Salerno played a pivotal role in the pre-Roman history of Sorrento. As human settlements emerged, sacred sites and scattered settlements sprouted, including the revered sanctuary of Athena situated at the tip of the peninsula near Punta Campanella. This captivating book delves into the historical evolution of the sanctuary from the 6th century BC to the 1st century AD. By utilizing unpublished archaeological evidence and literary sources, the author offers valuable insights into the site and its intricate relationship with the surrounding region. Sorrento and the Greek presence in the Gulf of Naples are closely intertwined with the establishment of the sanctuary, initially dedicated to the Sirens but later revered as Athena. Literary accounts suggest that it stood as one of the most renowned worship places in ancient Italy. However, it was in the 1980s that the discovery of an Oscan inscription, featuring a dedication to Minerva, sparked the hypothesis of a sanctuary near the Medieval tower at Punta Campanella. A comprehensive analysis of the available archaeological documentation, the study of new archaeological plans, and the examination of the site's material culture (ceramics) shed light on the sanctuary's development and significance. Consequently, this book delineates the historical and territorial growth of the Athena sanctuary, reconstructing the history of the ancient territory of Surrentum and, most importantly, its most revered sanctuary. This work will captivate archaeologists, ancient historians, and scholars of religion with its rich content and profound insights.

Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032647531