On the eve of the Battle of Marathon in 490 BCE, the Athenians dispatched Phidippides, a seasoned hemerodromos, to Sparta to seek military aid. Covering the distance in just two days, he delivered Athens’ plea to the Spartan magistrates. However, his return journey was marked by a divine encounter. While traversing Mount Parthenius near Tegea in Arcadia, Phidippides met the god Pan, who expressed his displeasure at being overlooked by the Athenians despite his support in their struggles. Phidippides relayed Pan’s message and joined the Athenian forces at Marathon. In the battle, Pan’s influence caused panic in the Persian ranks, contributing to their defeat.
Honouring Pan’s intervention, the Athenians later erected a temple near the Acropolis, celebrating him with yearly sacrifices and torch races. Additionally, they extended his veneration to various caves across Attica, where evidence of his worship has been discovered in 28 caves. The findings include terracotta votives and remnants of sacrifices, proving the caves’ religious significance.
One such cave, found behind the Daphni Monastery on Mount Poikilon, required a steep climb to reach. It measures 11.55 metres deep and 7.8 metres wide and its entrance was partially sealed by an ancient wall with a small entryway. A level courtyard fronted the entrance, supported by a retaining wall. The interior, mostly unaltered except for some rock carvings and mortar on the floor, served as a site for ritual offerings and sacrifices to Pan. Artefacts found here, mainly loutrophoroi (water vessels for bridal and funeral rituals) and clay figurines depicting Pan, Silenus, Aphrodite, and other female deities, date to the 5th century BCE. After a period of abandonment, the cave was repurposed by Byzantine monks and in the Ottoman era it was transformed into animal stables by herders.
