Conference Paper

The sacred use of caves was a widespread phenomenon in antiquity for many centuries, with a peek in Classical Times and a decline from Hellenistic Times onwards. In Greece under Roman rule, a return to some of these caves is to be seen – although the type of the material evidence is now changing. Moving onwards in time, at the turn to Christianity, there is in some instances a new interest in caves for ritual purposes. The paper will discuss some cases in various parts of Greece and will try to highlight some patterns regarding the changes in votive assemblages and possible impacts on the rituals held in the caves.