Why did the ancient Greeks travel great distances to visit specific sacred sites to worship when every city-state in Greece had its own grand temples?

While ancient Greek religion has been developed as a subject by many scholars and experts, no attention has thus far been given to the religious phenomenon of the massive attendance of worshippers from all parts of Greece at specific sacred sites, such as Eleusis, Olympia, Dodona, Delphi, Epidaurus, Didyma, and Ephesus.

Matthew Dillon examines in detail the significance of these great pilgrimages and the motivations that drove thousands of Greeks to travel many kilometers - often at the risk of their lives - to reach their place of pilgrimage.

He thoroughly discusses the sacred truces that accompanied these holy 'festivals', the modes of travel, as well as the religious and worship practices carried out by the priesthood and the faithful.

[Excerpt from the text on the back cover of the edition]