The Temple of Athena Lindia was an ancient Greek temple dedicated to the goddess Athena Lindia in the city of Lindos on the island of Rhodes (now Rhodes) in Greece.
Its ruins are located on the Acropolis of Lindos, or castle hill in the present village of Líndos. Lindos was one of the three major ancient cities on the island, along with Ialysos and Kamiros.
The temple dates back to the 4th century BCE, although there are indications that the site may have been used for religious purposes even earlier. The construction of the temple followed the Doric order of architecture, which was typical for many ancient Greek temples.
The site of the Temple of Athena Lindia is an ancient cult site that has probably been in use since prehistoric times. The place was in cult use possibly as early as pre-Greek Minoan times and later Mycenaean times. Pre-Greek origin is also evident in the name Lindia, which is not of Greek origin. Lindia was originally a separate goddess who was later united with the pan-Greek Athena. Athena’s second epithet on the site was Polias, the patroness of the city.
The location of the temple atop the acropolis provides stunning views of the surrounding landscape and the Aegean Sea, making it not only a place of worship but also a strategic and defensive position.
The architecture of the Temple of Athena Lindia was characterized by the typical features of Doric temples, including sturdy columns, simple friezes, and a pediment with sculptural decorations. The temple was adorned with various artworks and dedicatory inscriptions, some of which have survived and can be seen in local museums.
One significant feature of the temple is the unique cult statue of Athena, which was a wooden xoanon (an ancient type of carved wooden statue). The statue has been lost to history, but ancient descriptions and references suggest that it was a remarkable and revered piece of art.
The site of the Temple of Athena Lindia has undergone various changes and renovations over the centuries, reflecting the shifting political and cultural landscape of Rhodes. The temple was damaged during various invasions and earthquakes, but it continued to hold religious significance even during the Byzantine and medieval periods.
Today, the ruins of the Temple of Athena Lindia can still be visited in Lindos, and it remains an important archaeological site in Greece.
