Discover the ancient Greek rituals of Akragas amidst majestic temples, age-old cults, and sacred festivities in the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. Embark on a journey into the spirituality of Magna Graecia.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY MARCO CRUPI

A glimpse of the Temple of Juno in the Valley of the Temples, with the city of Agrigento rising in the background.

The ancient city of Akragas, known today as Agrigento, was founded in 581 BC by settlers from Gela and quickly became one of the most prosperous cities of Magna Graecia. Famous for the spectacular Valley of the Temples, Akragas embodies the grandeur of Greek civilization in the western Mediterranean. In this city, religious rituals were not merely sacred practices but formed the very heart of daily life, permeating all aspects of society, from politics and agriculture to justice and family.

At Akragas, the Greek pantheon took on a unique significance, with cults reflecting the deep connection between humans, nature, and the divine.

• Demeter and Persephone were key figures in local worship. Demeter, goddess of the earth and protector of nature, and her daughter Persephone, symbolizing the cycle of the seasons, represented the promise of abundance and rebirth. Their worship is evidenced by a monumental sacred area located in the western part of the Temple Hill, known as the Sanctuary of Chthonic Deities, divided into three distinct terraces. Here, farmers and families offered first fruits and sacrifices to ensure bountiful harvests.
• Zeus Atabyrios and Athena Lindia, deities originally from the island of Rhodes, reflected cultural influences from other Greek centers in Magna Graecia. Zeus Atabyrios, the protector of justice and law, and Athena Lindia, goddess of wisdom and war, had temples dedicated to them in the city, including one that today houses the Church of Santa Maria dei Greci.
• Akragas, the river god from whom the city takes its name, was revered as a local protective deity. Like many river gods in Greek mythology, Akragas was considered a guardian spirit, tied both to the city’s protection and the fertility of the surrounding lands, which were made prosperous by the waters of his river.

The statue of Icarus and the Temple of Concordia.

The Valley of the Temples in Agrigento hosts some of the largest and best-preserved examples of ancient Greek sacred architecture:

• The Temple of Concordia, built in the 5th century BC, is one of the best-preserved Doric temples in the world. Although the identity of the deity to whom it was dedicated remains uncertain, the temple symbolizes the importance of harmony and social cohesion in the Akragantine community.
• The Temple of Juno, built in the 5th century BC, was dedicated to Hera, goddess of marriage and childbirth. Ceremonies and fertility rites were held here.
• The Temple of Heracles, the oldest in the valley, dates back to the late 6th century BC and was dedicated to Heracles, a hero greatly revered in Akragas. Today, eight of its columns remain standing.
• The Temple of Olympian Zeus, built around 480 BC to celebrate victory over the Carthaginians, featured massive telamons. Though never completed and now in ruins, it was among the most imposing Doric temples of antiquity.
• The Temple of the Dioscuri, despite only having four columns remaining, has become a symbol of Agrigento. Its attribution to the Dioscuri is traditional and not based on definitive evidence.
• The Temple of Hephaestus, dated to the 5th century BC, was believed to be one of the largest in the valley, but today it is among the most eroded.
• The Temple of Asclepius, located beyond the ancient city walls, was a pilgrimage site for those seeking healing for their ailments.

The Temple of Concordia.

The Temple of Juno.

The Temple of Heracles.

Religious life in Akragas was marked by numerous festivals and rituals:

• The Thesmophoria, dedicated to Demeter and Persephone, were female-only festivals celebrating fertility and the cycle of life. During these celebrations, women participated in secret rites and offered symbols of fertility to the goddess.
• The Panathenaia, in honor of Athena, included processions, athletic competitions, and artistic contests, fostering a sense of community among citizens.
• The Eleusinian Mysteries, though originating in Eleusis, also influenced the cults of Akragas, particularly those dedicated to Demeter and Persephone. These mysteries involved initiatory rites and represented a unique spiritual experience for participants.

Funerary rituals in Akragas were essential for ensuring a safe passage to the afterlife. Practices included the preparation of the body, which was washed, anointed with fragrant oils, and adorned with garlands or crowns. Often, coins were placed on the eyes or in the mouth of the deceased as payment for Charon, the ferryman of Hades, to transport the soul across the river Styx. The following day, the body was displayed to allow family and friends to pay their respects, followed by a dawn procession to the burial site. Tombs, varying in size and type, often contained votive offerings, personal items, and symbolic representations to accompany the deceased on their journey to the afterlife. The necropolises of Akragas, such as the one at Contrada Montelusa, reveal a diversity of funerary rites, suggesting cultural differences among the inhabitants of different burial areas.

Hero worship was equally significant. Semi-divine or historical figures, such as the tyrant Phalaris, were honored through ceremonies and sacrifices to invoke their protection over the community. These cults often took place at sanctuaries or monuments erected in their honor, serving as places of collective memory and reinforcing the cultural identity of the polis. The presence of altars and sanctuaries dedicated to local heroes testifies to the importance of these figures in the religious and social fabric of Akragas.

Recent archaeoastronomical studies have revealed that the temples of Akragas were designed according to complex alignments with the stars and the solar cycle. This connection between the sacred and the universe gives additional meaning to the rituals practiced, suggesting that the temples were not only places of worship but also instruments to connect humans with the divine.

Greek spirituality continues to influence the culture of Agrigento. The Church of Santa Maria dei Greci, built on the remains of an ancient Doric temple, is a tangible example of religious continuity. Many modern festivities, such as the Almond Blossom Festival, also symbolically recall the fertility rites of antiquity.