Sparta - Sanctuary of Artemis Orthía

Between the road to Trípoli and the Evrótas, just outside Sparta on right, is the sanctuary of Artemis Orthía, so named because the cult image was found standing upright. According to Pausanias the image was brought from Tauris by Iphigeneia and Orestes. In this sanctuary Spartan boys were flogged as part of their initiation into manhood. There was a sixth century temple (foundations preserved) built over an earlier eighth century structure, with altars for burnt offerings. During the Roman period tiers of seats were built round the sanctuary to accommodate spectators of the ritual flogging.