Science Daily's January 23, 2008 article New Discoveries At The Ash Altar Of Zeus Offer Insights Into Origins Of Ancient Greece's Most Powerful God says that the altar to Zeus Lykaios (Lycaean Zeus) holds ash from 3000 B.C. At that early date it is likely to predate Zeus. Athletic games were played at this site, on the Arcadian Mt. Lykaion, from the Archaic to the Hellenistic period (c. 700-200 B.C.). Although there are reports of human sacrifice at the altar of Zeus, no such remains have yet been found.
Lycaea was an ancient Greek festival held by the Arcadians. This festival may have been imported to Rome as the Lupercalia.
Comments