Schatzhäuser in griechischen Heiligtümern

Treasuries formed an integral part of urban, extra-urban, and Panhellenic sanctuaries and were mainly dedicated in the 7th/6th century, but also down to the 2nd century B.C. According to size, building type, and architectural sculpture they resembled small temples, so that their identification requires additional evidence. In texts, they were originally called oikos, later also naos, naiskos, oikematon, and particularly thesauros. Literary sources and inscriptions mention their donators, occasions for dedication, funding, lockability, and contents, sometimes also architects, sculptors, and dating. Examples come from Greece, Lower Italy, Sicily, Asia Minor, and Northern Africa. Dedications by tyrants mainly date into the 7th/6th century, by Athenian aristocrats into the 6th/5th century, by poleis into the 6th to 3rd century, and by private persons into the 4th to 2nd century The temple-offerings initially dedicated are only attested in the literature and were very precious and exhibited for inspection, use, and remembrance. Aristocrats preferred urban and extra-urban sanctuaries, tyrants and poleis the Panhellenic ones with pre-existing relations and rivalries determining the choice of sanctuary.