Metroon

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A Metroon (plural Metroa ; from the Greek  μήτηρ θεῶν "mother of gods") is generally a sanctuary of the Cybele or the goddesses Rhea or Demeter or the Magna Mater , their Roman counterpart, which are occasionally identified with them .

Two temple structures are specifically designated as Metroon , namely:

  • in ancient Athens the sanctuary of Cybele on the west side of the Agora of Athens, which also served as the state archive, see Metroon (Athens)
  • a Doric temple in Olympia in front of the treasure house terrace, which was rebuilt under Augustus for the imperial cult, see Metroon (Olympia)