| During the Classical and Hellenistic periods, some Greek sanctuaries imposed fees on individuals wishing to sacrifice or seek a cure. Evidence for the practice comes from inscriptions such as IG I 3 6, an Athenian decree, which is unique in providing not only documentation of the fee itself, but also additional information on the funds generated at the Eleusinian Mysteries. While it is important to note the distinctly Attic nature of much inscriptional evidence for early cult fees, evidence from other cities indicates that the ritualized use of coins in Greek sanctuaries was a widespread phenomenon. The evidence leads from Athens to nearby Oropos, and extends outward on the mainland to sanctuaries in cities such as Corinth and Argos, as well as to the islands and the coast of Asia Minor.;The administration of the aparche of grain offered to Demeter and Kore at Eleusis, as outlined in IG I3 78, shows strong parallels with other sacred laws establishing coin fees. The term aparche could, in fact, be used to refer to a coin fee, as for example at Kos, Thasos, and Oropos. The wealth of financial documents from Athens and other sites allows us to trace not only these fees, but also other financial arrangements in the sanctuaries, such as the pelanos and the proteleia, two sacrifices which, according to literary and inscriptional evidence, could be made both in kind and through a coin offering. In addition to inscriptional evidence, archaeological remains of coin collection boxes, or thesauroi at the sanctuaries provide a ritual context for the use of coin fees by worshipers.;Analysis of the inscriptional evidence shows that a clear distinction was drawn between coins paid to priests, as opposed to coins intended for the sanctuary. Examination of the terminology used in the inscriptions shows that cult fees should be considered separately from payments to sanctuary officials in consideration of services performed. They should also be separated from revenue generated for the sanctuary through other forms of taxation. Most importantly, cult fees constitute ritually significant activities which are closely linked with votive offering and sacrifice. |
