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Altar of Hieron II, Siracusa, Sicily

These are the remains of an enormous (200m long) altar in the archaeological park of Neapolis in Siracusa, Sicily. It was constructed by Hieron II during the second half of the third century BC, in honour of Zeus Eleutherios, and celebrates the achievements of Timoleon (345-336 BC) who liberated Siracusa from tyranny.

 

It was used for mass sacrifices of animals, e.g. 450 bulls were killed during the annual feast.

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Uploaded on January 31, 2012
Taken on June 16, 2006