Theban Treasury (Delphi)

The Treasury of the Thebans at

Lacedaemonians at Leuctra (371 BC).^[1]

Description

Shortly after their victory against the Lacaedemonians at the Battle of Leuctra in 371 BC, a landmark of the brief Theban supremacy in the political life of Greece, the Thebans dedicated at the sanctuary of Apollo a treasury built in the Doric order.^[2] It was the largest treasury in dimensions of Delphi, situated close to the SW corner of the sanctuary. Rectangular in plan, measuring 12.29 by 7.21 meters, it stood on a crepis with two steps. It was constructed entirely out of local limestone from the quarries at St. Elias, a particularly hard stone with bluish-grey shades, which accentuates the austere style of the Doric building. Thus, the Treasury of the Thebans made a visual contrast to the nearby Siphnian Treasury, with its colourful and decorative Ionian style. A frieze with metopes and triglyphs ran all around the building.

Several opinions have been expressed regarding its actual architectural form.^[3] The current views, however, suggest that it was a uniform building, without columns, possibly with two entrances on the narrow sides and with a vertical wall functioning as boulder. An opening along the western wall provided natural lighting in the building.^[4]

References

^ Bommelaer, J.-F., Laroche, D., Guide de Delphes. Le site, Sites et Monuments 7, Paris 1991, 129-131
^ Michaud, J.-P., Le trésor des Thèbes, Fouilles de Delphes 2.15, Paris 1973
^ Partida, E., The Treasuries at Delphi, an Architectural Study, Jonsered 2000, 192-198
^ Jacquemin.A., Laroche, D., « Note sur quatre édifices d’époque classique à Delphes», BCH 136-137, 2012-2013, 106-114

[1] Bommelaer, J.-F., Laroche, D., Guide de Delphes. Le site, Sites et Monuments 7, Paris 1991, 129-131

[2] Michaud, J.-P., Le trésor des Thèbes, Fouilles de Delphes 2.15, Paris 1973

[3] Partida, E., The Treasuries at Delphi, an Architectural Study, Jonsered 2000, 192-198

[4] Jacquemin.A., Laroche, D., « Note sur quatre édifices d’époque classique à Delphes», BCH 136-137, 2012-2013, 106-114

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]