Siphnian and Sicyonian Treasuries in Sanctuary of Apollo

Abstract

View of the Siphnian (back) and Sicyonian (front) Treasuries on the Sacred Way through the Sanctuary of Apollo. Treasuries like these would store and showcase sacred offerings in the form of money, art, or spoils from war, giving a public display of the wealth and virtue of the city-states.

Description

View of the Siphnian (back) and Sicyonian (front) Treasuries from the East. The Sicyonian Treasury is a relatively small Doric style structure in antis dating from the 5th century BCE. Below this foundation were discovered two earlier 6th century buildings, believed to be given by Cleisthenes of Sikyon, winner of the chariot race in the Pythian games of 582. The Siphnian Treasury is far more famous and well studied, being one of the most ornate treasuries at Delphi. Constructed between 530 and 525 BCE, it was the first delphic treasury to be constructed entirely of marble, sourced from Siphnos, Naxos, and Paros. Its style was Ionic distyle in antis, with caryatid columns and a continuous frieze wrapping along the top depicting several mythological themes (DH.77,DH.78,DH.79). Everything about this treasury conveyed wealth and excess, and the Siphnians were able to finance such an expensive project by taking a tenth of the production from their famous gold and silver mines, according to Herodotus.

Image Notes

Creation date unknown. Photograph processed July 1978. Notes written on the slide or index: Delphi - Treasury of Siphinians?.

Identifier DH.029
Collection DH: Delphi
Location Delfoi, Greece
Year 1978
Batch Stamp JUL 78
Printed Date July, 1978
Slide Notes Delphi - Tr. of Siphinians?
Index Notes Treasury of Siphinians?
General Location Sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi
Camera Location Treasuries of the Siphnians and Sicyonians
Precision Estimated
Angle 245 degrees SW