oracle of oracle of DelphiDelphi

By: Kristy and JocelynBy: Kristy and Jocelyn

Delphi HistoryDelphi History Located on the southern sloped of Located on the southern sloped of

Mount Parnassos.Mount Parnassos. Delphi was sacred to Apollo, the god of Delphi was sacred to Apollo, the god of

prophecy and patron of philosophy prophecy and patron of philosophy and the arts, whose famous temple and the arts, whose famous temple and prophetic shrine were there. and prophetic shrine were there.

In honor of the killing of the monster In honor of the killing of the monster Python by Apollo, the Pythian Games Python by Apollo, the Pythian Games were held in Delphi every four years. were held in Delphi every four years.

A priestess was known as the Pythia in A priestess was known as the Pythia in honour of Apollo’s slaying of a honour of Apollo’s slaying of a mythical beast called the Python.mythical beast called the Python.

The trancelike state in which the The trancelike state in which the Delphic oracle (always a woman) Delphic oracle (always a woman) delivered her prophecies was induced delivered her prophecies was induced by vapors that rose from the earth by vapors that rose from the earth underneath the temple of Apollo. Long underneath the temple of Apollo. Long dismissed as a legend, this story dismissed as a legend, this story received confirmation from the received confirmation from the findings (2001)findings (2001)

Outline of the Outline of the oracleoracle

The TheatreThe Theatre Theatre-Theatre- Above the Temple of Apollo is an Above the Temple of Apollo is an

outdoor theater with 33 tiers of outdoor theater with 33 tiers of stone seats that could hold up stone seats that could hold up to 5,000 people. to 5,000 people.

It was built partially out of the It was built partially out of the living rock with some of the living rock with some of the supporting masonry dating to supporting masonry dating to fifth century BCE.fifth century BCE.

The north side had 12 rows of The north side had 12 rows of seats and a platform to seats and a platform to accommodate the presidents of accommodate the presidents of the games. the games.

the curved west end and the the curved west end and the south side only had 6 rows of south side only had 6 rows of seats. Four pillars remain of the seats. Four pillars remain of the Roman Triumphal Arch which Roman Triumphal Arch which formed the entrance at the formed the entrance at the south-eastern corner, built by south-eastern corner, built by Herodes Atticus, the famous Herodes Atticus, the famous Athenian philanthropist.Athenian philanthropist.

Temple of ApolloTemple of Apollo

The ancient Greek shrine of Apollo rests on the side of Mount ParnassusThe ancient Greek shrine of Apollo rests on the side of Mount Parnassus where the Oracles made their predictionswhere the Oracles made their predictions centre piece of Delphi, built with donations from every Greek city-state and from abroadcentre piece of Delphi, 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 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 release of on the outside of the base are over 700 inscriptions, most announcing the release of

slaves, which was considered a special act of piety (devotion to religion) to be slaves, which was considered a special act of piety (devotion to religion) to be performed at Delphiperformed at Delphi

At the far end of the temple is the altar, originally decorated with memorials, ex-votos, At the far end of the temple is the altar, originally decorated with memorials, ex-votos, statues, and offeringsstatues, and offerings

Sacred waySacred way Upon arriving at Delphi, the supplicants Upon arriving at Delphi, the supplicants

registered and paid a fee; when their registered and paid a fee; when their appointments neared, they purified appointments neared, they purified themselves at the Castalian Spring, where the themselves at the Castalian Spring, where the bathing trough is still visible. They then bathing trough is still visible. They then proceeded along the Sacred Way, a zigzag proceeded along the Sacred Way, a zigzag flagstone walk up the hill. The Sacred Way was flagstone walk up the hill. The Sacred Way was lined with statues and offerings, most of which lined with statues and offerings, most of which have long disappeared, although a few have long disappeared, although a few surviving examples can be seen in the Delphi surviving examples can be seen in the Delphi Museum. Also along the way were a series of Museum. Also along the way were a series of treasuries, small shrines sponsored by various treasuries, small shrines sponsored by various Greek cities as thank-offerings for important Greek cities as thank-offerings for important victories.  victories. 

The Sacred Way ended outside the temple, The Sacred Way ended outside the temple, there the pilgrims would sacrifice a sheep or there the pilgrims would sacrifice a sheep or goat, whose entrails( inner parts) were goat, whose entrails( inner parts) were examined by the priests for omens( future). examined by the priests for omens( future). Then the pilgrims entered one by one to ask Then the pilgrims entered one by one to ask the sibyl their question. A carved domed rock, the sibyl their question. A carved domed rock, the the omphalosomphalos, or centre of the earth, was kept , or centre of the earth, was kept at the place of prophecy. In an ancient flood at the place of prophecy. In an ancient flood story about the human race, the omphalos was story about the human race, the omphalos was the first thing to emerge from the waters as the first thing to emerge from the waters as they receded. In addition, Zeus sent two they receded. In addition, Zeus sent two ravens out from the ends of the earth to find ravens out from the ends of the earth to find its center, and their beaks touched at the its center, and their beaks touched at the omphalos. The stone is presently kept in a omphalos. The stone is presently kept in a museum. museum.

Castalia Spring/ The Athena Castalia Spring/ The Athena Pronoia TemplePronoia Temple

The Castalia Spring-The Castalia Spring- tucked into a ravine right under the Phaedriades. tucked into a ravine right under the Phaedriades.

Apollo is said to have planted a laurel tree here Apollo is said to have planted a laurel tree here which he brought from the Vale of Tempe. which he brought from the Vale of Tempe.

All visitors purified themselves here before entering All visitors purified themselves here before entering the sanctuary.  the sanctuary. 

Many poets found inspiration from drinking the Many poets found inspiration from drinking the waters here and it was said that if you drink of the waters here and it was said that if you drink of the waters of the Castalia Spring, you would return to waters of the Castalia Spring, you would return to Greece.  Greece.  

  The Athena Pronoia Temple ( "The Marmaria")-The Athena Pronoia Temple ( "The Marmaria")-   small sacred terracesmall sacred terrace   The first Athena temple was built in the Archaic The first Athena temple was built in the Archaic

period and was a small peripheral temple and known period and was a small peripheral temple and known as the as the Athena PronaiaAthena Pronaia temple, the "Athena-in-front- temple, the "Athena-in-front-of-the-temple" (Guardian of the Temple). of-the-temple" (Guardian of the Temple).

Tholos of Athena PronoiaTholos of Athena Pronoia

GymnasiumGymnasium

Between the Marmaria and the Castalia Spring, south of the Arachova-Delphi road  Between the Marmaria and the Castalia Spring, south of the Arachova-Delphi road  This two-level complex of athletic building was built in the late Classical and This two-level complex of athletic building was built in the late Classical and

Hellenistic periods and rebuilt during the Roman period. Hellenistic periods and rebuilt during the Roman period. On the upper level was the On the upper level was the xystosxystos or long colonnade where the athletes practiced in or long colonnade where the athletes practiced in

bad weather and a parallel track in the open air. bad weather and a parallel track in the open air. On the lower level are the remains of a peristyle court which served as a palaestra or On the lower level are the remains of a peristyle court which served as a palaestra or

wrestling ground, which is the most recognizable of the standing remains. wrestling ground, which is the most recognizable of the standing remains. A monastery was built into this Palaestra, actually reusing some of the ancient walls. A monastery was built into this Palaestra, actually reusing some of the ancient walls.

It was moved out when the village was relocated in 1891. It was moved out when the village was relocated in 1891. Next to the palaestra were a bath complex with a cold plunge and some sitz baths Next to the palaestra were a bath complex with a cold plunge and some sitz baths

built into the back of the terracebuilt into the back of the terrace

The MuseumThe Museum in the museum is a copy of the in the museum is a copy of the

omphalos stone and the Halos omphalos stone and the Halos Treasure, religious objects from the Treasure, religious objects from the sanctuary ritually buried in a pit called sanctuary ritually buried in a pit called a bothros. a bothros.

The highlight of the museum's The highlight of the museum's collection is  a bronze statue known as collection is  a bronze statue known as The Charioteer. It was sculpted in about The Charioteer. It was sculpted in about 470 BC and commemorated the victory 470 BC and commemorated the victory of a Syracusan prince in a chariot race of a Syracusan prince in a chariot race of the Pythian games and was probably of the Pythian games and was probably paid for by Gelon, the tyrant of paid for by Gelon, the tyrant of Syracuse. It is one of the few ancient Syracuse. It is one of the few ancient bronzes to come down to us as most bronzes to come down to us as most would have been melted down to reuse would have been melted down to reuse their valuable raw material. It was part their valuable raw material. It was part of a group which would have stood on a of a group which would have stood on a terrace wall up slope from the Temple terrace wall up slope from the Temple of Apollo. It fell from this terrace and of Apollo. It fell from this terrace and was preserved by a landslide to be was preserved by a landslide to be excavated by the French in 1896. It is excavated by the French in 1896. It is famous for the contrast between its famous for the contrast between its severe Classical formality and its severe Classical formality and its intensity and life-like aspects. intensity and life-like aspects.

The OracleThe Oracle Home of the sacred oracle of the Home of the sacred oracle of the

sun-god Apollosun-god Apollo Apollo was believed to send Apollo was believed to send

messages to humans through a messages to humans through a cleft in the rocks( the omphalos)cleft in the rocks( the omphalos)

These sayings were interpreted by These sayings were interpreted by the oracle, a priestess known as the oracle, a priestess known as the Pythia( got her name in honour the Pythia( got her name in honour of Apollo’s slaying of a mythical of Apollo’s slaying of a mythical beast called the Python.beast called the Python.

The oracles replies were usually so The oracles replies were usually so ambiguous that it was difficult ever ambiguous that it was difficult ever to prove them wrong, but this does to prove them wrong, but this does not seem to have discouraged not seem to have discouraged supplicants.supplicants.

Greeks and non-Greeks, kings, and Greeks and non-Greeks, kings, and commoners, came to consult the commoners, came to consult the oracle of private and public mattersoracle of private and public matters

ProphetProphet It was first necessary to sacrifice an animal, then to wait in the It was first necessary to sacrifice an animal, then to wait in the

inner chamber of the templeinner chamber of the temple Priestesses ( there were three altogether) were women over 50 Priestesses ( there were three altogether) were women over 50

years of age.years of age.

1.1. They first cleansed themselves in the scared spring of Kastalia They first cleansed themselves in the scared spring of Kastalia and drank water from another spring.and drank water from another spring.

2.2. They chewed bay leaves while seated on a tripod suspended They chewed bay leaves while seated on a tripod suspended over a cleft in the rocksover a cleft in the rocks

3.3. ““The vapours issuing from the cleft were supposed to give the The vapours issuing from the cleft were supposed to give the priestesses (Pyhtia) a heightened consciousness and cause priestesses (Pyhtia) a heightened consciousness and cause prophetic utterances.”prophetic utterances.”

4.4. These cries would then be interpreted by a male prophet usually These cries would then be interpreted by a male prophet usually in ambiguous versein ambiguous verse

4Stages4Stages

1. Castalia Spring

2. Bay Leaves3.Prophecies

4. Ambiguous Verses

Apollo

Omphalos

Pythia

PoliticalPolitical During the 8During the 8thth century the city states began to seek the oracle’s advice on century the city states began to seek the oracle’s advice on

colonizing ventures, and it grew in importance.colonizing ventures, and it grew in importance. Was consulted on a wide range of personal and political problems.Was consulted on a wide range of personal and political problems. Gained importance as a meeting-place with the establishment of the Pythian games Gained importance as a meeting-place with the establishment of the Pythian games

about 590BCEabout 590BCEPolitical Figures that visited the OraclePolitical Figures that visited the Oracle Oedipus—> “ Prophesized that he would kill his father and marry his mother.”Oedipus—> “ Prophesized that he would kill his father and marry his mother.” When grown, Oedipus heard the prophecy about himself and fled Corinth, believing When grown, Oedipus heard the prophecy about himself and fled Corinth, believing

that Polybius was his father. While on the road he killed a stranger, not knowing that that Polybius was his father. While on the road he killed a stranger, not knowing that it was Laius. Entering Thebes, he found the city dominated by a sphinx who killed it was Laius. Entering Thebes, he found the city dominated by a sphinx who killed anyone who could not solve her riddle: "Who goes on four feet in the morning, on anyone who could not solve her riddle: "Who goes on four feet in the morning, on two at noon, and in the evening on three?" Oedipus vanquished her by replying, two at noon, and in the evening on three?" Oedipus vanquished her by replying, "Man, in the three ages of his life," and won the hand of the widowed queen."Man, in the three ages of his life," and won the hand of the widowed queen.

Before the Battle of Salamis when the Pythia first predicted doom and later Before the Battle of Salamis when the Pythia first predicted doom and later predicted that a 'wooden wall' (interpreted by the Athenians to mean their ships) predicted that a 'wooden wall' (interpreted by the Athenians to mean their ships) would save them. would save them.

king Croesus of Lydia (circa 546 BCE) who asked if he should invade Persian king Croesus of Lydia (circa 546 BCE) who asked if he should invade Persian territory. His reply from the oracle was, if he did invade a mighty empire would be territory. His reply from the oracle was, if he did invade a mighty empire would be destroyed. Croesus thinking he would be victorious invaded, but it was his own destroyed. Croesus thinking he would be victorious invaded, but it was his own empire that fell and subsequently destroyed. empire that fell and subsequently destroyed.

SocratesSocrates Alexander the GreatAlexander the Great SophoclesSophocles

EconomicEconomic Short TermShort Term The city states made The city states made

rich offerings to Apollo rich offerings to Apollo to invoke his help.to invoke his help.

Long TermLong Term Became prosperousBecame prosperous The interpretations of The interpretations of

the ambiguous verses the ambiguous verses lead to the downfall of lead to the downfall of some countries. some countries. (economically)(economically)

SocialSocial “ “ Personal ethics and social morality Personal ethics and social morality

were given great importance, and were given great importance, and the sanction given to overseas the sanction given to overseas settlements enhanced the settlements enhanced the sanctuary’s influence in the wider sanctuary’s influence in the wider Greek world.”Greek world.”

Towns in Greece wanting to Towns in Greece wanting to establish new settlements abroad, establish new settlements abroad, often consulted the Oracle of Apollo often consulted the Oracle of Apollo at Delphiat Delphi

Local Greek farmers would consult Local Greek farmers would consult the oracle for advice on crops and the oracle for advice on crops and harvestingharvesting

Helped people make decisionsHelped people make decisions In conclusion, this advice and ritual In conclusion, this advice and ritual

of visiting the oracle became of visiting the oracle became imbedded into their every day life.imbedded into their every day life.

Impact on GreeceImpact on Greece In Greek history the chief significance of Delphi was that it In Greek history the chief significance of Delphi was that it

provided a meeting place for the inhabitants of the city-provided a meeting place for the inhabitants of the city-states. states.

Pythian games established around 590BCE.Pythian games established around 590BCE. In religion its influence was conservative. In religion its influence was conservative. ““On the subject of purification from bloodshed, it took a On the subject of purification from bloodshed, it took a

strong stand and gradually evolved the doctrine that purity strong stand and gradually evolved the doctrine that purity was a matter of the spirit rather than of ritual. Its moderate was a matter of the spirit rather than of ritual. Its moderate philosophy was well summarized by the maxims inscribed philosophy was well summarized by the maxims inscribed on the wall of the Temple of Apollo "Know thyself" and on the wall of the Temple of Apollo "Know thyself" and "Nothing too much.“"Nothing too much.“

We have fortune tellers in today’s societyWe have fortune tellers in today’s society Some of the prophecies lead to the destruction of some Some of the prophecies lead to the destruction of some

civilizations. Example: Lydia, Creouses civilizations. Example: Lydia, Creouses People became dependent on the prophecies givenPeople became dependent on the prophecies given

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION In conclusion, the Oracle of Delphi was a place where In conclusion, the Oracle of Delphi was a place where

Greeks, and non-Greeks, kings, and commoners came to Greeks, and non-Greeks, kings, and commoners came to consult the oracle on private and public matters.consult the oracle on private and public matters.

Delphi was sacred to Apollo, the god of prophecy and Delphi was sacred to Apollo, the god of prophecy and patron of philosophy and the arts, whose famous temple patron of philosophy and the arts, whose famous temple and prophetic shrine were there.and prophetic shrine were there.

Delphi was considered the centre of known world.Delphi was considered the centre of known world.

( According to Zeus)( According to Zeus) The oracle helped people make decisions, such as The oracle helped people make decisions, such as

harvesting crops and going to battle.harvesting crops and going to battle. The sanctuary’ had an influence on the wider Greek world.The sanctuary’ had an influence on the wider Greek world.

DiscussionDiscussion What was the Oracle of Delphi?What was the Oracle of Delphi? Why did people go there?Why did people go there? Do you believe in Prophecies?Do you believe in Prophecies? Why do people find the need to know their future?Why do people find the need to know their future? If you went to a psychic would you believe what they If you went to a psychic would you believe what they

say about your future?say about your future? Can people really predict the future?Can people really predict the future? Do you have control over your destiny, or believe in Do you have control over your destiny, or believe in

fate?fate? Do you think that hearing prophecies can lead to Do you think that hearing prophecies can lead to

your downfall?your downfall? Do you believe that someone who is intoxicated (bay Do you believe that someone who is intoxicated (bay

leaves) would be able to make a clear prophecy of leaves) would be able to make a clear prophecy of your future? Explain.your future? Explain.

Work’s CitedWork’s Cited Archibald, Zofia. Archibald, Zofia. Discovering the World of the Ancient Discovering the World of the Ancient

Greeks.Greeks.London: Quatro Publishing, 1991.London: Quatro Publishing, 1991. Levi, Peter. Levi, Peter. Atlas of the Greek World.Atlas of the Greek World. North America:Equinox(Oxford),1984.North America:Equinox(Oxford),1984. Margaret E. "Delphi" Margaret E. "Delphi"

Mordenhttp://www.odysseyadventures.ca/articles/delphi/articledelMordenhttp://www.odysseyadventures.ca/articles/delphi/articledelphi.htmphi.htm(27 April. 2005)(27 April. 2005)

Haywood, John. Haywood, John. The Encyclopedia of Ancient Civilization of the The Encyclopedia of Ancient Civilization of the Near East and Mediterranean.Near East and Mediterranean.

Oxfordshire: Andromeda Oxford Ltd., 1997.Oxfordshire: Andromeda Oxford Ltd., 1997. Wolverton, Robert E., "Delphi." Wolverton, Robert E., "Delphi." Grolier Multimedia EncyclopediaGrolier Multimedia Encyclopedia. .

Scholastic Scholastic No Author "The Oracle at Delphi” No Author "The Oracle at Delphi”

http://psychicinvestigator.com/demo/DELPHI.htmhttp://psychicinvestigator.com/demo/DELPHI.htm(27 April, 2005)(27 April, 2005)