City, Sanctuary, and New Sacred Zones on Samothrace

Image: Samothrace, the Tower. © Bonna D. Wescoat

Bonna D. Wescoat - Director, American School of Classical Studies at Athens; Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor of Art History at Emory University; Director of Excavations, Sanctuary of the Great Gods, Samothrace
City, Sanctuary, and New Sacred Zones on Samothrace

Τhe Sanctuary of the Great Gods on Samothrace has long drawn our attention; the adjacent city, less so. The story of the Sanctuary is largely written in terms of external influences, with little credit given to the role that the Samothracians played in shaping their fortunes. And yet within the largely unexcavated city, a magnificent fortification wall as well as marble spolia in the Gattilusi towers bear witness to a powerful and vibrant polis. Our current research aims to better understand the relationship of the ancient city to the Sanctuary of the Great Gods by investigating the gates and passages connecting city to sanctuary and the evidence for human activity on the land in between. The kinetic and sensorial aspects that shaped religious encounter on Samothrace likely began well before the prospective initiate reached the Propylon of Ptolemy II. Between 2022-2024, we explored the fortification wall with the aim of identifying the path ancient pilgrims followed from city to sanctuary. Key features of the West Gate, including location, monumentality, and tiers of cuttings for stelai, strongly suggest it served as the main passage and sacred gate.

Systematic field survey of the land between the city wall and the Sanctuary has provided a further body of evidence for understanding the dynamic relationship between the city and sanctuary. Evidence for dense habitation, as well as burial and industry in this interstitial zone, speak to the close interaction between city and sanctuary.

Within the Sanctuary, new investigation to the east of the Hieron has revealed the remains of a structure with large plaster moldings. Likely of Late Hellenistic/Early Imperial date, this structure appears to face toward the side of the Hieron, between its lateral east door and the configuration of torch support and steppingstones Carl Lehmann associated with the epopteia. Although we have only traces, the remains point to greater activity and visibility in an area formerly thought to be a secluded hillside.