Metaponto: ancora sul santuario mantico di Apollo e Aristea

Abstract

The present contribution, closely linked to the following one that reviews, in some points, the manuscript tradition of
Herodotus’ passage (IV 15), focuses on the sanctuary of Apollo and Aristea in the agora of Metapontum. The literary
sources relating to this sanctuary (Herodotus, Theopompus and Plutarch) are again examined; hypotheses are put forward
on the functionality of the plinths found within the temenos; the hypothesis that the sanctuary was a manteion
dedicated to Apollo Pythius is supported; that the mantic practice practised here may be the one handed down by
Theopompus; it is reiterated that the foundation of the sanctuary is linked to the Pythagorean elites who ruled the city
for a long time even after the Master’s death.