Modern studies of “sacred ground” have been influenced by Greek authors who emphasized its economic function. However, literary sources, sacred laws and various engravings stipulate that such land was not to be leased out. Theoretically, only ordinary territory provided revenue to religious sanctuaries, but available documents do not always make it possible to distinguish between the two types of land. Nonetheless, when sacred ground was farmed, it was no longer perceived as part of the religious landscape. Distinguishing markers were thus necessary to differentiate between sacred and common ground.