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Alalcomeneis

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

AlalcomeneÏs (Ancient Greek: Ἀλαλκομενηίς means 'guardian'[1]) was an epithet of the Greek goddess Athena,[2] the origin of which was subject to several theories. Some derived it from the name of the hero Alalcomenes, or from the Boeotian village of Alalcomenae,[3] where in some traditions she was said to have been born.[4] In or near that town there was a temple of Athena Alalcomeneis that was plundered by the Roman general Sulla in the early 1st century BC. After he removed the temple's main icon, an ivory statue of the goddess, the place fell into disuse and disrepair.[5] In the early 19th century, William Martin Leake claimed ruins of the temple could still be seen.[6]

Others derive the name from the Greek verb alalkein (ἀλαλκεῖν, "to protect") so that it would signify the "powerful defender".[7]

Notes

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  1. ^ Graves, Robert (2017). The Greek Myths - The Complete and Definitive Edition. Penguin Books Limited. pp. Index s.v. Alalcomeneis. ISBN 9780241983386.
  2. ^ Homer, Iliad 4.8 & 5.908
  3. ^ Strabo, 410 & 415
  4. ^ Schmitz, Leonhard (1867). "Alalcomeneis". In Smith, William (ed.). Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. Vol. 1. Boston: Little, Brown and Company. p. 88. Archived from the original on 2015-01-24. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
  5. ^ Pausanias, 9.33
  6. ^ William Martin, Leake (1835). Travels in Northern Greece. London: J. Rodwell. pp. 135.
  7. ^ Stephanus of Byzantium, s.v. Ἀλαλκομένιον; Karl Otfried Müller, Orchom. p. 213

References

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 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domainSmith, William, ed. (1870). "Alalcomeneis". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology.