ABSTRACT
Scholars have long focused attention on the material and visual aspects of ancient Greek religion; far less emphasis has been placed on its sonic and auditory dimensions. Drawing upon literary, iconographical and epigraphic sources, this chapter surveys the practical and ideational roles of sound and listening across key religious categories and contexts in early Greece (c.700–300bce). It examines how sounds – made by humans, animals, objects and (notionally) divinities – demarcated sacred space in and around sanctuary precincts; provided temporal, aesthetic and symbolic structure for ritual activity; and united communities of worshippers.
