The School of Homer Ag. Athanasios exc. (Ithaca) on Mount Exoki has a 3rd century BCE Hellenistic tower atop one terrace and a Mycenaean-style rectangular building below, connected by carved staircases. Discoveries include a late Roman bronze bust of Odysseus in a sailor's cap, ritual basins, gold jewelry, and over 100 coins. 🏛️
School of Homer site on Ithaca reveals Hellenistic shrine to Odysseus
GreeceTheory
Key facts
- The site Aios Athanasios, known as the School of Homer, is located on terrace slopes of Mount Exoki on Ithaca
- The site is divided into two terraces connected by two carved staircases with a large rocky formation at its core
- The upper terrace is dominated by a Hellenistic tower from the 3rd century BCE
- The lower terrace has a large rectangular building divided into three sections, reminiscent of Mycenaean palaces
- A nearby subterranean storeroom was used for food storage
- Cyclopean walls of defense feature four gates
- A late Roman bronze bust found in 1904 depicts Odysseus wearing a pileus (brimless felt conical cap used by sailors)
- Eight fragments of ritual stone water basins, 34 fragments of clay offerings, gold and bronze jewelry, and over 100 coins were found
- Inscribed votive offerings and stamped roof tiles bearing the name of Odysseus were discovered
Site mentioned
Sources
abdn.ac.uk
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antigonejournal.com
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