Temple of Demeter at the Sanctuary of Demeter Malophoros, Selinus

The Temple of Demeter at the Sanctuary of Demeter Malophoros is located in Selinus, Sicily. Malophoros means “apple-bearer”, and is an epithet attached to Demeter in her capacity as the goddess of fertility, grain, and agriculture.  The early colonists of Selinus were primarily farmers and dedicated the sanctuary to the goddess in the hopes of successful harvests. The first temple was built here in the early seventh century BC, but it was replaced ca. 650 BC by the temple of megaron plan that is currently visible. This temple lacks a peripteros and reflects temple planning of the period of Greek architecture before columns were widely used. In the late sixth through the fifth century, the sanctuary was embellished with a large altar, substantial stone temenos walls, and a propylon, which is the only building of its type in Sicily. The sanctuary was continuously used even after the capture of Selinus by Carthage in 409 BC.  In 250 BC, during the First Punic War, the Carthaginians destroyed the town's fortifications, and the town and sanctuary were abandoned. In the sixth century AD, the remaining structures were completely destroyed by an earthquake. Excavation began in the late 18^th century, and uncovered ceramics, bronze, iron, silver, ivory, and votive figurines, mainly statuettes of female figures. A bone flute was also found, indicating the use of music in Greek worship.