Greek Religion in Tauric Chersonesos

Tauric Chersonesos was one of the prominent ancient Greek centres on the north coast of the Black Sea. This comprehensive study of the cults of the gods of the Chersonesan polis, firmly based on the available sources, sheds new light on the religious life of this ancient Greek centre at various stages in its development.

Tauric Chersonesos was one of the prominent ancient Greek centres on the north coast of the Black Sea. Founded by the Herakleians, with a small group of Delians, Chersonesos was the only Dorian city in the region. This is reflected in many events and phenomena from its history and culture; it is especially apparent in its religion, related to all aspects of the private and public lives of the population. Depending on their differing historic development, each polis obtained its own peculiar ideological situation which influenced not only public religious life, but also the religious outlook of each separate family or individual. The worship of the gods within the pantheon of the polis was a key factor in the community''s consolidation, while the beliefs surrounding these deities formed a significant role in the concrete events of civic life. This comprehensive study of the cults of the gods of the Chersonesan polis, firmly based on the available sources (written, epigraphic, images of gods and their iconography on coins and in sculpture, as well as archaeological remains of cult structures), sheds new light on the religious life of this ancient Greek centre at various stages in its development.