The discovery of the 2.70-meter-high marble statue of Hestia Bollaia in 2006 at the ancient city of Aigai in Aiolis (modern-day Manisa, Turkey) provides significant insights into the religious and civic life of the ancient Greeks in that region.
Here’s a breakdown of the key points from your information:
1. **Location and Setting**: The statue of Hestia Bollaia was found during archaeological excavations in Aigai, situated in the central part of the orchestra. The orchestra in an ancient Greek theater or assembly space was typically a circular or semi-circular area where performances or public gatherings took place.
2. **Positioning on a Pillar**: The statue was erected on a pillar, which was placed on the bedrock in the orchestra. This elevated positioning suggests that the statue had a prominent and possibly ceremonial or religious significance within the civic space.
3. **Pedestal Description**: The pillar supporting the statue was elevated to the floor level of the orchestra using a pedestal made of large rectangular stone blocks. This construction method indicates a deliberate effort to raise the statue to a visible and respected position within the public space.
4. **Cultural and Religious Significance**: Hestia Bollaia was associated with the Hestia cult, which traditionally focused on the hearth and home, but also had broader civic and communal aspects. The presence of the statue in the orchestra suggests a connection between religious practices and civic life at Aigai.
5. **Possible Use of the Building**: The reference to the Prytaneion suggests that the building where the statue was found may have served multiple functions, possibly as both a bouleuterion (council chamber) and a prytaneion (seat of government where sacred fire and public hearth were maintained).
In summary, the discovery of the statue of Hestia Bollaia at Aigai underscores the intertwined nature of religious and civic life in ancient Greek society. The statue’s placement on a pedestal in the orchestra of the city suggests it played a significant role in both public ceremonies and religious rituals, reflecting the importance of communal identity and religious observance in ancient Aigai.