Summary:
This diploma thesis deals with the subject of religion in ancient Macedonia from the Archaic period, since the kingdom of Macedonia was founded in the 6th century BC. until its abolition by the Romans in 167 BC. The gods and heroes worshiped in Macedonia at that time will be studied according to the available literary, epigraphic, monetary and archaeological sources. The study is divided by deity and within each deity the cities where their worship is located are listed.
The study of the existing testimonies on the religion of ancient Macedonians proves that their religion presents structural similarities with the religious beliefs of the rest of the Greeks along with some local differentiations, as is the case in other regions of the Greek world. In particular, deities are studied on the basis of their function in the Macedonian pantheon. Zeus is the ruler of the royal house and the god of weather phenomena, influencing decisively the process of agricultural production, while Apollo, Asklepios, Darron and Health protect the health of humans and animals and the order of the cities of the kingdom of Macedonia.
At the same time, there is a group of deities that protects the transition from adolescence to adulthood, that is to say, deferred divinities. This includes Artemis, Dimitra. Persephone, the Mother of Gods. Ennody and Dionysus. Also, other deities are associated with the vegetation and fertility of nature and humans, such as Panas, Aphrodite and Dionysus.
Additionally, Aphrodite and Eukleia are related to love. Hades is connected with the transition to death, like Orpheus. Orpheus, in fact, is associated with an eschatological approach to death, as is evident from the Dervenian crater and the Orphic epitaph golden plates.
Crater of Dervenius and the golden sheep of the Orphic.
Finally, the rest of the gods each have their own attributes. Athena protects the cities and the just war that the Macedonian kings conduct. Cavers protect metal craftsmen. Eylithia protects childbirth and Nymphs nature. Hermes, Hecate and Themis protect trade and travelers and passes.
As far as the heroes' study is concerned, the quote starts with Hercules because of its special significance, followed by the other heroes, such as hero-rider, Hephaestus, Perseus and the Macedonian kings. Finally, reference is made to the Egyptian gods, who appear in Macedonia during the Hellenistic period.
The Macedonians participated in the great Panhellenic sanctuaries from the Classical era, while large sanctuaries were also created in Macedonia, with Dion being the most representative example. Religion in ancient Macedonia shows a great deal of coherence and continuity during the Hellenistic era, while the only foreign deities that were introduced into the religious life of Macedonia in the 3rd century BC. are the Egyptian gods.
Keywords:
Ancient Macedonia, religion, epigraphy, numismatics