Themele

Themele, plural the melai, is a term used in the study of ancient Greek art and architecture to denote the base or pedestal on which a cult statue stood within a temple or sanctuary. The themele is typically a low, rectangular stone block or platform that sits on the stylobate or altar area and supports the statue of a deity, hero, or dedicator. In many sanctuaries the themele might be integrated into the floor of the naos or erected as an independent base on which inscriptions and offerings could be placed.

The presence and arrangement of themele can vary: some are simple slabs, while others are elaborately dressed with moldings, inscriptions, or votive decorations. In inscriptions and accounts, the themele is used to indicate the specific statue's location and the act of dedication. The term is most common in descriptions of Archaic and Classical Greek sanctuaries and in the study of votive sculpture.

Functionally, the themele marks the sacred area directly associated with the deity's statue and helps distinguish the cult statue from other architectural elements. It is distinct from the temple building as a whole (the naos) and from the sacred enclosure (temenos). Themele thus provide important information for archaeologists reconstructing temple layouts and cult practices.