Sounion

Promontory in Attica, Greece, on which was the temple of Poseidon, dated to the mid-5th century BC. This classical sanctuary site probably goes back to the 7th-8th century BC, and it was traditionally popular as a refuge with runaway slaves. It was fortified in 413 BC by a substantial wall enclosing the headland. A ship shed has been discovered and there is evidence for houses from the 5th century BC to the Roman period. The marble Poseidon Temple was preceded by a limestone version which was apparently demolished by the invading Persians in 480 BC. North of the main sanctuary lies a smaller sacred area (temos) which encloses the remains of two temples. The best-known kouros is the colossal figure from the temple of Poseidon at Sounion.

[Roman Sunium]. Byron’s ‘Sunium’s marbled steep’ is a classical sanctuary site on a rocky headland some 70 km southeast of Athens. It is famous for the standing columns of its mid-5th century bc marble temple to Poseidon, which make a dramatic sight and give the location its alternative title of Cape Kolones. Use of the sanctuary probably goes back to the 7th or 8th century bc, and it was traditionally popular as a refuge with runaway slaves. The Cape offered natural harbouring, but was also vulnerable to pirate and enemy attack, and was fortified in 413 bc by a substantial wall enclosing the headland. A ship shed has been discovered in the vicinity. The local township of Sounion was traditionally reckoned wealthy, and there is evidence for inhabited houses from the 5th century bc to the Roman period. The marble Poseidon Temple was preceded by a limestone version, drums of which are still extant. This earlier structure was apparently demolished by the invading Persians in their attack of480 bc (see Salamis). North of the main sanctuary lies a smaller sacred area (temenos) which encloses the remains of two modest temples, one dedicated to Athena Sounias, the colonnade of which seems to have been limited to the front and one side only.