Description
Dedicated by the Greeks of Chios late in the fourth century BCE, this massive marble altar would have been the focal point of the great temple complex dedicated to the god of the sun, medicine, music, and prophesy, Apollo. Located just outside of the eastern entrance of the temple, priests of Apollo would offer sacrifices to the god on this spot. For their generosity, the people of Chios were allowed to have primacy of order over all other pilgrims wanting to ask advice from Apollo's oracle, and this privilege is marked by an inscription on the southern base of the altar's edifice.