Delphi: The Legendary Oracle
- Site of famous Oracle of Apollo and priestess Pythia, who foretold the future and gave advice
- Site of the Pythian Games, a series of athletic and musical contests held every four years
- Considered the geographical center of the world by ancient Greeks
Because Delphi centered on the famous Oracle of Apollo, the site grew to become a major spiritual center for the ancient Greeks. As Greeks from all over the Mediterranean visited Delphi for hundreds of years to seek the advice of the Oracle, the site added the Temple of Apollo, a theater, a stadium, and countless other buildings to store the treasures of different Greek cities. Built on the slope of a mountain, this breathtaking location also was the site of major athletic and musical games, reflecting its importance as a place where all Greeks could come together to experience their rich culture.
The site of Delphi, located below the slopes of Mount Parnassus, was considered the center of the world by the ancient Greeks. Legend had it that the god Zeus released two eagles, who flew around the world and met at Delphi. Delphi was most famous as the home of the Delphic Oracle and the priestess Pythia, through which the god Apollo spoke prophecy. The site became famous in the eighth century BC as a religious center, and like Olympia, later held musical and athletic games every four years. In the fourth century BC, the site began to go into decline and held a much less important role under the Roman Empire. Like many other religious sites, the Oracle was shut down in the late 4th century during the rule of Emperor Theodosius I. A village gradually grew over the site in modern times, until the French began excavating the site in 1892.
The site itself is built on several terraces and is entered from the bottom terrace. As one walks up from the bottom to the top of the site, he or she will find various relics of Delphi’s importance to all Greeks, including the Treasuries many Greek cities built in order to hold votive and ritual offerings for use when visiting the site. Near the top of the site are a full-size theater and a stadium used in the Games. Towards the bottom of the site is the Temple of Apollo, dating first from the sixth century and rebuilt in the fourth century, which has remained partially intact with several columns re-erected. It was under this temple where the Pythia would give her oracles while in a trance state. In an interesting mix of history and science, recent geological research has shown that fissures underneath the temple emitted noxious gases that may have caused the trance-like state of the priestess.
Read about Epidaurus >>
