Athena Alea

The Temple of Athena Alea at Tegea, an ancient Greek city in Arcadia, was renowned throughout the Peloponnese. Originally founded by Aleus, the temple was later reconstructed by the sculptor Scopas. Fragments of this temple have been discovered. Tegea itself was significant, acting as a check on Spartan expansion before 550 BCE and later joining various leagues. By the time of Augustus, it was the sole important town in Arcadia and survived invasions, continuing to flourish under Byzantine and Frankish rule. The Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae was reportedly modeled after the Temple of Athena Alea at Tegea, noted for its innovative use of Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian orders.12