The origins of Delphi Delphis womb Delphi thought

The origins of Delphi § “Delphis” = “womb” § Delphi thought to be the center (naval) of the world

According to Mythology… § Zeus released two eagles – Flew around the world – Met at Delphi § Where they met is the center of the earth! – Omphalos (naval) marks the spot – Delphi is the center of the world, and the omphalos is its naval

§ Remember the story of Cronos swallowing his children? § Omphalos = the rock he swallowed in place of Zeus – Placed at Delphi for all to see Saturn Devouring one of his Sons Francisco de Goya y Lucientes (1746 -1828)

Connection to Apollo § Apollo’s symbol represents the “egg of creation. ” § Center of worship – Embodied moral discipline and spiritual clarity

The Story of Delphi Version 1

The Trick § Gift of Prophecy § Apollo searches for a site for an oracle – Telphusa = Pernassus

Bad idea! § Dragon infestation! – Killed by Apollo § Left its corpse to rot, naming it “Pytho” from the Greek “to rot” § Corpse emitted the vapors that the oracle used to go into her transe § Vengeance – Buried Telphusa § Built shrine § Took over oracle

The Story of Delphi Version 2

Death of the Python § Apollo killed the Python who lived at Delphi and protected it – Sacred serpent = rebirth – Nine years penance § Returned to the sacred site

Every good oracle needs a priest § Cretan ship – Disguised as a dolphin, leaps on board – Apollo (yes, as a dolphin) steers the ship to Crisa § Reveals himself – Makes them priests of the temple

What’s up with the Dolphin? § “Delphis” = “dolphin” – Dolphin is a mammal, unlike other sea creatures

Bees § Pythia – Delphic Bee – Oracle § Arestius – First Greek Beekeeper – Sacrificed a bull to gods as penance – Returned to bull nine days later – Bees flew from carcass – Took them home

Superstitions § Bees have power over death § Kings in Greece made their tombs in the shape of bees § “When a bee flies, souls will rise” – A person’s soul will be reborn if bees are around

Historic Background § Most important oracle in Greece § Responses given by the oracle – Festival to Apollo – Increased demands = year round – All matters, personal and political – All people, ordinary citizens, kings, governments, even non-Greeks

How did it work? § Petitioner (someone seeking advice) – Submitted question – Gave offering (bribes? ) § Pythia (priestess of Apollo for life) – Ritual bath, sacrifice of a goat – Entered temple § Sat on a tripod (with lid closed), set over opening in ground from which vapors rose § Entered trance, muttered gibberish – Priests interpreted the readings and delivered to questioners in poetic form – Answers were famously vague and easily open to misinterpretation § Easily claim to be right!

Mysteries Revealed

What did it look like? § Agora (marketplace) – Shops – Places to purchase relics

§ Treasuries – Wealthy city-states built treasuries to demonstrate loyalty to the oracle – Displayed city’s wealth/power – Embassy, cultural center in a foreign land

§ Temple of Apollo – Centerpiece – Housed the omphalos – Oracle § Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia – Temple comes before Apollo’s temple

Inscriptions § Carved into the temple are three phrases: – “Know Thyself” – “Nothing in Excess” – “Make a Pledge and Mischief is Nigh” § Attributed to the Seven Sages

§ Theater – Natural slope of the mountain for seating – Semi-circular orchestra – Wrapped seating

§ Stadium – Hosted Pythian Games § Similar to Olympian Games – Stadium-length sprints, race in full armor, chariot races

§ Athletic Statues – Kleobis and Biton § Two brothers, renowned for their strength § Died at the height of their admiration

Balance § Dionysus is given reign over Delphi during the fall and winter months – Some say the oracle left during these months § Balance between Apollo and Dionysus