Delphi

The Oracle of DelphiDelphi, located in a plateau on the side of Mt. Parnassus, is an archaeological site and a modern town in Greece . It originally was called Pytho and belonged to Gaia. After Apollo slew the great python-dragon that guarded the site, he established a sanctuary there. Archaeological findings indicate that the first sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi was erected in the 8th century B.C. The name "Delphi" probably stems from Delphinios , an epithet for Apollo stemming from his connection to dolphins. According to legend, Apollo took the form of a dolphin and swam out to the sea to capture a group of sailors, whom he appointed the first priests of his cult. Or, as others say, Apollo came to Delphi with Cretan priests on the backs of dolphins. Another legend held that Apollo walked to Delphi from the north and stopped at Tempe , a city in Thessaly to pick laurel.In ancient times Delphi was the site of the Delphic Oracle , dedicated to Apollo and was revered throughout the Greek world as the omphalos, the centre of the universe. The omphalos , a carved domed rock or naval of the earth, said to be the stone swallowed by Cronus as the new-born Zeus, was kept at the place of prophecy. In an ancient flood story about the human race, the omphalos was the first thing to emerge from the waters as they receded. In another version, Zeus sent two ravens out from the ends of the earth to find its center, and their beaks touched the omphalos at the same time. Thus the Delphic shrine became the most famous oracle of ancient times, known for its temple to Apollo and the oracle, as well as the Pythian Games .It is said that Apollo spoke through his priestess, who used to be young girls of blameless life chosen from among the peasants of the area. The first priestess at Delphi was commonly known as Sibyl , though her name was Herophile . She sang her predictions, which she received from Gaia. Later, "Sibyl" became a title given to whichever priestess manned the oracle at the time. The sibyls or prophetesses took the name Pythia after Apollo slayed the monster, and before consultation they would purify themselves in various ways, such as drinking from the crystal waters of the Castalian spring, and putting on simple garments. On the days of consultation the prophetess burned bay or laurel leaves and barley meal on the altar and mounted a tripod seat over an opening on the ground. Once seated and attended by a priest, she waited for the divine afflatus or "breath" that came up from the opening to infill her. Then the sibyl would fall into trance, allowing Apollo to possess her spirit. When she was ready, inquirers were escorted into her presence one at a time. They either asked their questions orally or in writing. In this state she prophesied. She spoke in riddles, which were interpreted by the priests of the temple. The majority of questions asked concerned personal affairs, though some, from statesmen, sought guidance as to what laws or reforms would benefit their state, or sanction to build a temple, found a city, establish a colony, declare war, or make peace. The advice was highly esteemed by the many who visited it. Later it was found prudent to use married women as priestesses--- who were required to live apart from their husbands before and during their oracular duties.In fact, even those who consulted the Pythia were expected to practice chastity, and also to undergo purification, offer sacrifice, approach the holy precincts with reverence and trust and,when waiting in the vestibule, to remain silent, thinking pure thoughts. Upon arriving at Delphi, the supplicants would often register and pay a fee; when their appointments neared, they should purify themselves at the Castalian Spring, where the bathing trough is still visible. They then proceeded along the Sacred Way, a zigzag flagstone walk up the hill. The Sacred Way was lined with statues and offerings, most of which have long disappeared, although a few surviving examples can be seen in the Delphi Museum. Also along the way were a series of treasuries, small shrines sponsored by various Greek cities as thank-offerings for important victories. The best preserved of these is the Athenian treasury, built in 490 B.C. to celebrate the Athenian victory at the Battle of Marathon . Because of its balance, harmony, and purity of line, it is regarded as the finest example of ancient Doric style.The Delphic Oracle exerted considerable influence across the country, and was consulted before all major undertakings: wars, the founding of colonies, and so forth. It was also respected by the semi-Hellenic countries around the Greek world, such as Macedonia , Lydia , Caria , and even Egypt . For over a thousand years, before and after the time of Christ, the great and less great came to consult him. Pythagoras went there, and stayed to train a Pythia to serve as voice of the god. Herodotus also went there to record what was said. Plutarch served as priest of Apollo for many years. The great lawgivers Lycurgus and Solon obtained suggestions for laws which made their city-states models of justice and freedom. Oedipus, King of Thebes, consulted the Pythia and so did Alexander the Great.The centerpiece of Delphi was the temple of Apollo, built with donations from every Greek city-state and from abroad. The base of the temple still stands, with half a dozen of the original columns. On the outside of the base are over 700 inscriptions, most announcing the emancipation of slaves, which was considered a special act of piety to be performed at Delphi. At the far end of the temple is the altar, originally decorated with memorials, statues, and offerings.Above the Temple of Apollo is an outdoor theater with 33 tiers of stone seats that held about 5,000 people. A stadium seating 7,000 nearby was used for the Pythian Games, held every four years to celebrate the victory of Athens over the Phoenicians, who had attacked Delphi and tried to seize its treasures. Several centuries later, when Rome conquered Greece and Athenian protection collapsed, the Emperor Nero looted 500 statues from the shrine. In the fourth century A.D., Julian the Apostate, a Christian emperor who returned to paganism, ordered Delphi's restoration as part of his campaign to restore the ancient gods, but strangely, the Pythia wailed and declared that the god would no longer speak there. The refusal of the Oracle was considered a sign of the end, and by 390 A.D. the shrine was closed by the Christian Emperor Theodosis. Soon after the temple was destroyed. However, today tourists travel regularly to Delphi even though the god is silent and few believe, as the ancients did, that divinities communicate with mortals.Questions for Understanding:1. What is particular about the geographical feature of Delphi?2. What did so many people go to Delphi for? Why was it considered sacred?3. How was the oracle of Delphi told?。