Their Relation to the Religious and Social Life in the Athenian City-State until the End of the 7th Century B.C.
This article concerns two sanctuaries, those of Artemis Mounichia1 and of Zeus Parnessios2, which are so far the earliest known in the Attica region (fig. 1), together with that of Zeus at Hymettos3. he sanctuary of Artemis Mounichia was established in southern Attica, above one of the three ports of Piraeus. he sanctuary of Zeus Parnessios was set up in the area of a cave, on the summit of the highest of the three main mountains of Attica that embraces the basin of Athens to the north. The cult of the two deities at the specific sites is evidenced by inscribed sherds4, which bear their names. In the case of the Parnes sanctuary, further evidence is provided by an iron thunderbolt5, carrying a votive inscription to Zeus.