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LETOON |
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LETOON |
| The ruins of Letoon are
situated in the village of Bozoluk. Letoon was a
sanctuary precinct and not a city as such, though it did
have a settlement around it. This was the spiritual heart
of Xhantos and of Lycia, the federal sanctuary to the
Lycian League and the place where national festivals were
held. It was founded in honor of Leto, the mother of
Apollo and Artemis, the twin children of Zeus. Leto was
driven out by Hera, Zeus' wife, and exiled. Finally she
arrived to Delos where she gave birth. There are no less than three temples side by side. The site was not excavated until the 1950's and more of the foundations are now underwater. The first of the temples is of Ionic order, dedicated to Leto. To either side there are two smaller temples dedicated to Apollo and Artemis. It would appear that the temple was built in the times of the emperor Hadrian probably placed on top of an older building. Letoon was the center of pagan cults activity until the 7th century, after which it was abandoned. |
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