ABSTRACT
If a person in Greece found himself in a threatening situation he had the option of taking refuge in a sanctuary.1 At first glance the ancient sources do not create the impression that sheltering people seeking asylum was one of the everyday responsibilities of the sanctuaries. We learn about personalities in political life who turned to sanctuaries seeking help when they had been stripped of office or had fallen into disfavour among the people.2 The sources name victims of war and civil war in particular as making use of the protection provided in sanctuaries.3
