Sacred lands of Attica after Peloponnessian war in 5th – 4th century BC on the epigraphic materials

Abstract

This article is devoted to the issue of the influence of the Peloponnesian war on the sacred lands (temenos) in Attica in the end of 5^th – 4^th centuries BC The Peloponnesian war, the conflict between the two largest Greek polises Athens and Sparta, certainly led to great difficulties related to the exploitation of agricultural land. Firstly, the military actions affected the land plots of Attica (Athens region). Since antiquity, however, historians and economists have debated the extent of the damage. This article draws attention to the situation of the sacred lands (temenos) after the Peloponnesian war. The status of those plots of land was different from all the others, as they were associated with a special worship of the gods and heroes of Ancient Greece.

The main source is epigraphic material, such as agreements on the leasing of sacred land in the 4^th century BC. On the basis of that material the author comes to some conclusions. Sacred lands were constantly under the control of the political authorities, due to their high status. Agricultural work on those lands was carried out constantly, what indicates a caring attitude towards them on the part of the polis and their effective use.