| The sanctuary of Zeus Thenatas was discovered at the Minoan harbour of Amnissos. Excavations there brought to light two 6th-century eagles of poros stone on Ionian pedestals. These early examples of Archaic Ionian art on Crete can be attributed to the influence of two Knossian architects, Chersiphron and Metagenes, who worked for many years in Ionia, even building the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus. The two sculptures were probably set on pillars placed east of the open-air altar of the god. According to Pausanias, similar pillars with eagles were found east of the open-air altar of Lycaean Zeus in Arcadia. The myths of both places are also similar, as the Lycaean Zeus shares all the characteristics of the Cretan infant god of fertility. |