ABSTRACT
We have already visited one popular Greek religious center (or sanctuary}, the Samian Heraion. However, because of their importance for Greek culture and because of the great variery in settings, buildings and other material remains, and ceremonial, sanctuaries deserve further attention. In this chapter and the next we shall examine three major cult centers: the sanctuaries of Apollo at Delphi; Zeus at Olympia; and Athena, on the Acropolis at Athem. Only the last lay within a city; the first two, in contrast, were located in the countryside. Nonetheless, Delphi and Olympia were pilgrimage sites renowed throughout the Greek world, with activities and monuments intimately linked with all Greek cities, near and far.
