Unique and mysterious Delphi-House of the oracle of Apollo

One of the amazing UNESCO Heritage sites in Greece

….” I know the numbers of the sands, and the measure of the Sea. I understand the dumb, and I listen to those who do not speak“… (response given to King Cresus by the oracle of Delphi)

Depiction of the Oracle of Delphi Entranced

More than 2500 years ago pilgrims from all over Greece arrived at the sacred site of Delphi. They came to consult the most renowned oracle of the ancient world.

Approaching by the “Sacred Way”, one sees the sanctuary of Apollo, adorned by its magnificent temple, the white marble theatre, the stadium of 7000 people, the open-air gymnasium and the elegant Doric columns which form the “tholos ” from the sanctuary of Athena Pronaia.

Rendition of the Site of Delphi as it may have been

Apollo’s Arrival

According to legend, the Greeks considered Delphi to be the center of the world.

It is said that Zeus released two eagles from opposite sides of the earth, east and west. The point of their meeting was Delphi, which was marked with a stone called “omphalos” (navel).

Another legend tells that Apollo, son of Zeus and god of light, killed a monstrous serpent which was the guardian of the site (named Pythio at the time) – and of the oracle of Gaia, goddess of the earth. On the spot, he appointed a priestess in the name of “Pythia” who had the role of being the intermediary between the god and the men and could thus answer the questions of the humans.

Pythia recited her oracles while seated in the basin of a large tripod and went into a trance, by either breathing toxic vapors that oozed from the basement, or by chewing bay leaves. Her answers were translated by an initiated priest.

Pythia was consulted on all subjects: religion, money, marriage, and especially for army expeditions. Those who consulted her first had to purify themselves in the waters of the Castalian spring. Then, they sprinkled a goat with cold water and if it began to tremble, they would sacrifice the goat and could thus allow themselves to consult the gods

Hidden “faults” where vapors were released

The “Ambiguous” Oracle

The answers given by the oracle of Delphi were precise but at the same time, they were known for their ambiguous character.

To test the accuracy of the various oracles, King Cresus of Asia Minor posed the same question simultaneously to all oracles of the region. The only oracle that answered him correctly was that of Delphi.

Consequently, when the king wanted to know what would be the outcome when he attacked the Persians, her answer was that “a great Empire will be destroyed”. She was correct, a great empire was destroyed, but unfortunately for Cresus. it was his empire destroyed and not that of the Persians as the king had wrongly interpreted.

With the same ambiguity the oracle warned the Spartan Phalanthos, commanding an expedition to Italy, that he was going to conquer the city of Tarentum the moment he felt the rain coming from a clear sky. This seemed impossible! But the oracle was vindicated. Shortly before launching his attack, Phalanthos wife, Aithira (her name translates to “clear sky” ) wept on his shoulders ( hence the interpretation of “rain”).

But the oracle sometimes provided direct and unambiguous answers.

This was the case when she said that the philosopher Socrates was the “wisest man in the world”, as well as the answer given to Alexander the Great “my son, no one will resist you”.

Historical Origins

The historical origins of Delphi date back over 3000 years. But it was only from the 8th century to the 6th century BC that it flourished.

Today, it is only through our imagination that we can relive and reconstruct the splendor of the sanctuary of Apollo, based on the location and order of the buildings, monuments and statutes.

All along the Secret Way, to the outskirts of the Temple, we recognize certain small buildings called “treasuries”. They were built by the different cities to house the precious gifts dedicated to the oracle in testimony of their gratitude.

One of these “treasures”, that of the Athenians – the only one which is restored today, was a small building in the Doric style. The outer walls of which were covered with inscriptions. Among these are two hymns to Apollo complete with old musical notations.

The Decline and Fall of Delphi

The importance and fame of Delphi was able to survive the “unpatriotic” advice given to the Greeks at the start of the 5th century BC when it was advised not to defend against the Persian invaders.

However, the reputation of the oracle was lessened in the centuries that followed, because of the lack of impartiality due to her support open to other cities, like Athens and Sparta.

In the 2nd century BC, the Romans conquered Delphi, and the oracles’ influence and prestige declined further.

The Roman emperors stripped the site of its statues and ornamental remains.

We come to grasp the extent of its decadence through the terms used in the response given by the oracle to the Emperor Julian in 362 AD:

“Tell your King that the glorious oracle has fallen into ruin. Apollon is no longer sheltered. The laurel leaves are silent and the springs of prophecy are dry.”