The Temple of Apollo at Bassae: New Observations on its Plan and Orientation

Abstract

First, the axis of the building runs north and south3 rather than east and west, the usual orientation for Greek temples.' The temple, dedicated to Apollo Epicurius,5 is situated on a rocky ledge high6 in a wild and secluded part of the Arcadian mountains, on the southern slope of Mt. Cotilius about four and a half miles above the ancient city of Phigalia. On another ledge further up the mountain lie two small archaic temples of Artemis and Aphrodite.' Mt. Cotilius blocks all views to the north and west, but to the south the ground drops rapidly toward the valley of the Neda river. Mt. Ithome can be seen in the distance set against a Messenian range (pl. 39, fig. i), and to the east,