THALAMAE (sanctuary in Laconia)
Town of ancient Laconia, containing an oracle
- Kind of place
- Sanctuary
- Region
- Laconia
- Where
- 36.79° N, 22.33° E
Thalamae is situated on the promontory of Taenarum. Pausanias 3.21.7 Consultants seek answers from the oracle through dreams. Pausanias 3.26.1 Sweet water flows from a sacred spring at the site. Pausanias 3.26.1
Described in the sources
The town is located about eighty stades from Oetylus. Pausanias 3.26.1 It is one of the eighteen cities held by the Free Laconians. Pausanias 3.21.7 The town is located twenty stades away from the coastal place named Pephnus. Pausanias 3.26.2 A sanctuary of Ino containing an oracle is situated on the road leading to Thalamae. Pausanias 3.26.1
Stories and history
Pasiphae is a title for the Moon, not a local goddess of the town. Pausanias 3.26.1 A bronze statue stands inside the temple, though obscured by garlands. Pausanias 3.26.1 Bronze statues of Pasiphae and Helios stand in the unroofed sanctuary area. Pausanias 3.26.1 The inhabitants of Thalamae claim the Dioscuri were born on a nearby small island and that Hermes transported them to Pellana after their birth. Pausanias 3.26.2