Abstract:
The hero-cult of Hippolytus in Troezen is well documented in the archaeological, epigraphic and literary record. This paper focuses on the social function of the cult of Hippolytus in Troezen. After discussing the archaeological evidence for this hero-cult, I demonstrate how a special type of votive dedications that predominate in the assemblages of his sanctuary sheds light on the hero’s specific social function and cultic identity (i.e. his kourotrophic power). By tying together the different types of evidence (archaeological as well as literary), I argue that the kourotrophic function of Hippolytus was an effective medium at the hands of the polis-authorities of internalising a reverent behaviour in the ancient worshippers.
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