Volume 5 (2022)

First page of the paper.

Papers presented at the third international conference of the Hellenic Institute of Egyptology

Celestial Aspects of Aphaia

Dallas, Themis G.

Abstract:

The Temple of Aphaia in Aegina is one of the best–preserved Doric temples of the Classical Era. Erroneously connected with Athena, Aphaia was originally and foremost a local deity of Aegina. In ancient literature she is described as of Cretan origin and Phoenician descent. Following Aphaia's travels through space and time and her relation with other deities, we shall investigate if the myth and the temple itself may hold a celestial significance. We conclude that there is a possible connection of the goddess with Planet Venus, and we note the similarities of her story with the Canaanite deity Asherah, as well as Santa Marina.

Citation:

Dallas, T.G. 2022. «Celestial Aspects of Aphaia», JHIE 5: 25–38

DOI:

10.5281/zenodo.7725380

Language: en

Submitted on 2021-03-31; accepted on 2022-11-20

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