Late-Archaic Temple Architecture in Olbia Pontica II: the Akroteria with Gorgoneia

Abstract

This paper is about the studying and further reconstruction of two central akroteria of Laconian type with the depiction of Medusa Gorgona. The gorgoneia were the top decorations of the temple of the main Olbian sacred patron, Apollo Ietros, as it is visible from the graffito on one side. The temple was erected at the Western temenos in Pontic Olbia during the second half of the 6th century BCE. The synchronous analogues known in the Mediterranean centres allow for the proposition of two versions of akroterion design – a rectangular form with a circular top, and a fully circular form of a disk-shape akroterion. The disk akroterion was fixed with the help of the ridge tile that had slopes of c. 23-24°, that differ from those known in the Mediterranean. All the details belong to the South Ionian imports transported to Olbia in a special order, that allows for the discussion about a local direction in the architectural development.