According to Greek mythology, Zeus released two eagles – one to the East and one to the West – to find the center of the earth, and they met at Delphi. The Ancient Greeks considered Delphi to be the most important and holiest of all places. Mythology tells us that there was a temple dedicated to Mother Earth, guarded by the serpent Python.
However, Apollo killed the serpent Python and ordered a new temple at Delphi. The temple was built by the Cretans, who arrived in Delphi accompanied by Apollo, who had metamorphosed into a dolphin. Tributes found during the excavations here show that Delphi’s fame spread to countries like Syria and Armenia.
The High Priestess at Delphi was called Pythia, and she was responsible for delivering the messages of the gods to mortals. She would purify herself in the Castalian Spring next to the archaeological site and then enter the temple. In a trance state induced by chewing bay leaves, she would utter incomprehensible words that a group of priests and priestesses would interpret into a meaningful but double-edged prophecies. It’s believed that the oracle and its prophecies played a significant role in the Argonautic campaign, the Trojan War, and the establishment of Greek colonies.
The Temple of Apollo, where the oracle was located, was a magnificent Doric structure with a series of impressive columns, statues, and engravings. Delphi thrived between the 6th and 4th centuries BC, and its fame spread far and wide. The oracle was consulted by people from all over the ancient world, from peasants to kings, and was considered to be one of the most important religious and cultural institutions of its time.
However, in 394 AD, the Temple of Apollo and the oracle were closed down by order of the Byzantine Emperor Theodosius I. The site was eventually abandoned and fell into ruin, with many of its artifacts and treasures stolen or destroyed. Nevertheless, now the oracular site is once again a popular pilgrimage for visitors from all over the world, who come to experience the mystique and historical significance of ancient Delphi.
Read also:
Tips for your pilgrimage to Delphi
Ancient Olympia, Ancient Elis and Epicurios – Three Sites in Ilia, Greece
