who built the oracle of delphi

Who is the oracle of Delphi?

The Oracle of Delphi was a high priestess, or Pythia, as she was known, who served in the sanctuary of the Greek god Apollo. The ancient Greek oracle served at the shrine built upon the sacred site of Delphi. Delphi was considered the center or navel of the ancient Greek world.

When was the temple at Delphi built?

Construction of the temple that would house the oracle began in the 8th century. The temple at Delphi was built by priests of Apollo from Crete, which was then called Knossos. It was believed Apollo had a divine presence at Delphi, and so a sanctuary was built in his honor. The sanctuary was built on the Delphic fault .

How did Delphi get built?

According to legend, natives of the island of Crete, accompanied by Apollo in the guise of a dolphin, arrived at the port of Delphi (Kirrha) and built the god’s sanctuary. Who Built Delphi? Priests from Knossos (on Crete) brought the cult of Apollo to Delphi in the 8th century B.C., during which time they began developing the sanctuary to the god.

How did the Delphic oracle influence the Greek world?

The Delphic oracle exerted considerable influence throughout the Greek world, and she was consulted before all major undertakings including wars and the founding of colonies. [h] She also was respected by the Greek-influenced countries around the periphery of the Greek world, such as Lydia, Caria, and even Egypt .

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Where did the Oracle of Delphi come from?

The Delphic oracle may have been present in some form from 1400 BC, in the middle period of Mycenaean Greece (1600–1100 BC). There is evidence that Apollo took over the shrine with the arrival of priests from Delos in the 8th century, from an earlier dedication to Gaia.

Who built ancient Delphi?

Who Built Delphi? Priests from Knossos (on Crete) brought the cult of Apollo to Delphi in the 8th century B.C., during which time they began developing the sanctuary to the god. They built the first stone temples to Apollo and Athena towards the end of the 7th century B.C.

When was the Oracle of Delphi built?

Dating back to 1400 BC, the Oracle of Delphi was the most important shrine in all Greece, and in theory all Greeks respected its independence. Built around a sacred spring, Delphi was considered to be the omphalos - the center (literally navel) of the world.

Who is the god or Oracle of Delphi?

The Oracle of Delphi was a high priestess, or Pythia, as she was known, who served in the sanctuary of the Greek god Apollo. The ancient Greek oracle served at the shrine built upon the sacred site of Delphi. Delphi was considered the center or navel of the ancient Greek world.

What are the 5 Oracles?

The Five OraclesDodona.Trophonius.Erythaea.CumæDelphi.

What are 3 facts about Delphi?

According to mythology a dragon named Python guarded the area and was killed by Apollo. Since then Apollo the Pythian was worshiped at Delphi. A temple was built in honor of Apollo. The first priests came to Delphi all the way from the island of Crete.

What is a female Oracle called?

PythiaIn the temple, the resident female oracle, called a Pythia, was a role filled by a succession of women over the years, usually priestesses of high birth who lived a solitary life in the temple.

Is the oracle of Delphi a person?

The Oracle of Delphi was an important Greek priestess and soothsayer who practiced divination in the Temple of Apollo at the ancient sanctuary of Delphi on Mount Parnassus. Also known as the Pythia, the oracle was a real woman carefully selected by the priests of the sanctuary.

What does Delphi mean in Greek?

The name "Delphi" has Greek origins from the word "Delphus," which means hollow, or womb. Most notably, though, the name has strong affiliations with the Delphic Oracle, the most important oracle in ancient Greece — fitting for Cursed Child's Delphi, whose prophesied fate was a major component of the play.

Where is the Oracle of Delphi now?

Mount ParnassusThis was the Oracle of Delphi: the Greeks' most famous and most feared window into the will of the gods. It lay in “a cavern hollowed down in the depths” of the hillside, as the historian Strabo reported, underneath the great Temple of Apollo. Today, the ruins of the Temple sit on the slopes of Mount Parnassus.

Does the Oracle of Delphi still exist?

Unfortunately, the Delphic oracle is no longer in business – at least, not of the oracular kind. In 390/1 CE the Roman emperor Theodosius I closed it down in a bid to end pagan cults. However, the excavated site is now a booming tourist destination and well worth the visit. Every time has its own oracles.

What was the last prophecy of the Oracle of Delphi?

The stream is dry that had so much to say. This was probably the last advice from the Oracle of Delphi. The Oracle said that the time to revive classical Greek culture has passed, Apollo is dead.

Why is Delphi so famous?

The Oracle Of Delphi's Great Riches By the 5th century BC, Delphi had become the most important oracular sanctuary in Greece. It attracted visitors from across the Greek world and beyond, from places such as Asia Minor and Egypt. Around 590 BC the first Pythian Games were also held at Delphi in honor of Apollo.

Why is Delphi called Delphi?

Delphi took its name from the word dolphin. The myth says that god Apollo got on board a dolphin and traveled from Crete to Delphi. There he killed a local monster and established an oracle, as he was the god of future telling.

Where is Delphi made?

Delphi, ancient town and seat of the most important Greek temple and oracle of Apollo. It lay in the territory of Phocis on the steep lower slope of Mount Parnassus, about 6 miles (10 km) from the Gulf of Corinth. Delphi is now a major archaeological site with well-preserved ruins.

Does the Oracle of Delphi still exist?

Unfortunately, the Delphic oracle is no longer in business – at least, not of the oracular kind. In 390/1 CE the Roman emperor Theodosius I closed it down in a bid to end pagan cults. However, the excavated site is now a booming tourist destination and well worth the visit. Every time has its own oracles.

When did the Oracle of Delphi begin?

Oracle of Delphi. Around 1400 BCE a goat herder noticed his sheep acted strange after peering into a particular chasm on Mount Parnassus. He looked in and found himself "agitated like one frantic". At least that is how the legend goes on the humble beginnings of the Oracle at Delphi.

What was the Delphi temple?

The Delphic temple itself became one of the largest "banks" in the world. Delphi became a center for banking and commerce. The divine nature and associated deity changed a few times over the course of several centuries. When the profits of the Oracle began to decline it was declared that Poseidon was speaking through her.

Why did the Oracle of Delphi send word to the Oracle?

He sent word to the Oracle asking why he was misled. The word came back that he wasn't misled, he had been told that there would be the destruction of a great empire and there was -- his. The world famous Oracle of Delphi played an influential role in ancient history.

Why did people inhale the vapors of the Oracle?

The effects of the brain altering vapors,were ultimately attributed to a divine source. Other people began inhaling the vapors so that they could prophesy. But the gas was so disorienting some fell into the cavern and were lost.

Why did Croesus donate his fortune to the Oracle?

Croesus for example donated a fortune to the oracle to find out if he should invade a neighboring country. He was told "If you go to war you will cause the destruction of a great empire". He went to war and not only was defeated but was captured. He sent word to the Oracle asking why he was misled.

What were the priests trained to do in the Pythia?

Temples were built and rebuilt, priests were trained, rituals evolved and sacrifices were performed. Priests interpreted the incoherent utterances of the Pythia. Presents were brought to both placate the deity and in the hope of influencing a positive prophesy.

Who consulted the Oracle?

Famous world leaders consulted on matters of conquest. Sophocles, Alexander the Great, and Croesus of Lydia all consulted the Oracle at one time or another. The priests' interpretations may have been more coherent than the Pythoness but they generally remained cryptic and ambiguous.

When was the Temple of Delphi built?

The ruins of the Temple of Delphi visible today date from the 4th century BC, and are of a peripteral Doric building. It was erected by Spintharus, Xenodoros, and Agathon on the remains of an earlier temple, dated to the 6th century BC which itself was erected on the site of a 7th-century BC construction attributed in legend to the architects Trophonios and Agamedes.

Who is the architect of the temple at Delphi?

The architect of the "vaulted temple at Delphi" is named by Vitruvius, in De architectura Book VII, as Theodorus Phoceus (not Theodorus of Samos, whom Vitruvius names separately).

How is Delphi pronounced?

^ In English, the name Delphi is pronounced either as / ˈdɛlfaɪ / or, in a more Greek-like manner, as / ˈdɛlfiː /. The bottom line on the etymology is that Delphoi is related to delphus, "womb," which is consistent with the omphalos stone there being considered the "navel" of the universe. The delphis, or "dolphin" connection, is an accidental result of the dolpins being named from their uterus-like appearance. The full etymology is to be found in Frisk. The inscriptional variants, Dalphoi, Dolphoi, Derphoi, might appear to be dialects, especially Dalphoi, usually taken as Phocian, as the Phocians spoke Doric. Frisk labels them as secondary developments, including the apparent Doric original a in Dalphoi. It could well be Phocian, but was not originally Doric. The true dialect form, Aeolic Belphoi, with Delphoi, must be reflexes of a Bronze Age *Gwelphoi, which does not have an original "a." Frisk's Proto-Indoeuropean is *gwelbh-u-, with a -u- extension. Without the extension there is no relation between Delphoi and delphus. However, Frisk, a major Indo-Europeanist, cites some parallels of -woi- to -oi- in other words. The evidence from mythology adds strength to his hypothesis. Without the w, Delphoi is not related to Delphus, but only seems so. The etymology of dolphin is fairly standard.

What is the name of the Greek sanctuary?

Delphi among the main Greek sanctuaries. Delphi ( / ˈdɛlfaɪ, ˈdɛlfi /; Greek: Δελφοί [ðelˈfi] ), in legend previously called Pytho (Πυθώ), in ancient times was a sacred precinct that served as the seat of Pythia, the major oracle who was consulted about important decisions throughout the ancient classical world.

What is the end of Delphi?

Most cursory accounts of Delphi include a phase they call the end of Delphi. After all, ruins are in evidence, so there must have been a time when the structures they represent were unruined. Many give the impression that the emperor's sheriff drove up the hill with a bulldozer and a wrecking ball, or a least an army of wreckers, and went back down the hill the same day having levelled the site, and that from then on it remained uninhabited. Although such a sudden event is possible with the equipment of modern times, it did not generally happen that way in ancient times, except in unusual cases, such as the fall of Carthage, when the Romans leveled the city and sowed the bare ground with salt so that nothing would grow there. Even so, the city was rebuilt. Such was never the case for Delphi. It transitioned from phase to phase. There may never have been a time when the site had no inhabitants or structures, and no one was interested in living there. It had the spring and the view.

Why did the Oracle's credibility wane?

The oracle's credibility waned due to doubtful predictions. The oracle flourished again in the second century CE during the rule of emperor Hadrian, who is believed to have visited the oracle twice and offered complete autonomy to the city. By the 4th century, Delphi had acquired the status of a city.

What was the Greek oracle?

The oracle was international in character and also fostered sentiments of Greek nationality , even though the nation of Greece was centuries away from realization. The ancient Greeks considered the centre of the world to be in Delphi, marked by the stone monument known as the omphalos (navel).

Who Built Delphi?

Priests from Knossos (on Crete) brought the cult of Apollo to Delphi in the 8th century B.C., during which time they began developing the sanctuary to the god.

What was the first structure in Delphi?

When visitors approached Delphi, the first structure they saw was the sanctuary of Athena Pronaia (hence its name). This sanctuary contained the most characteristic monument at Delphi: the Tholos, a circular building with a conical roof supported by a ring of outer columns.

How did the Delphi priests become powerful?

The Delphi priests became powerful, able to bend both military and political powers. But over the centuries, Delphi and the sanctuary of Apollo suffered multiple catastrophes and changes in authority.

What is the history of Delphi?

Oracle of Delphi. The End of Delphi. Delphi Archaeology. Sources. Delphi was an ancient religious sanctuary dedicated to the Greek god Apollo. Developed in the 8th century B.C., the sanctuary was home to the Oracle of Delphi and the priestess Pythia, who was famed throughout the ancient world for divining ...

When was Delphi a sanctuary?

Archaeological evidence suggests a Mycenaean (1600–1100 B.C.) settlement and cemetery once existed within the sanctuary area. Around 1400 B.C., Delphi may have held a sanctuary devoted to the deity Gaea or Athena that was destroyed by a rock fall at the end of the Bronze Age.

What was the second most important event in Greece after the Olympics?

It was also home of the Pythian Games, the second most important games in Greece after the Olympics. Delphi declined with the rise of Christianity and was ultimately buried under the site of a new village until the late 1800s.

How long did the first sacred war last?

The league launched the First Sacred War, which legends say lasted 10 years and ended with the destruction of Krisa. The league subsequently recognized Delphi as an autonomous state, opening free access to the sanctuary, and reorganized the Pythian Games, which were held in Delphi every four years beginning in 582 B.C.

Who destroyed the Oracle?

It was destroyed by the Emperor Theodosius I , in 390 CE, in an attempt to eradicate the old pagan beliefs. Few traces of the Oracle remain, but the site is still an eerie one: mist clings to the hills, and you can almost hear the ghosts of Croesus, Nero, and Alexander. Atlas Obscura Trips.

Why was the Temple of Apollo destroyed?

It was destroyed by the Emperor Theodosius I, in 390 CE, in an attempt to eradicate the old pagan beliefs.

What was the center of the world for the Greeks?

For ancient Greeks, Delphi was the center of the world: a site sacred to the god Apollo, where all Greeks united to worship. But at its heart was a dark, strange place: the mysterious sanctuary where the priestess of Apollo prophesied. The priestess, called the Pythia, sat above a chasm in the earth, which belched forth fumes.

How Did the Oracle of Delphi Work?

Sacrifices were offered by the supplicants, adorned with laurel crowns and fillets of wool. Having prepared herself by washing and purification, the Pythia entered the sanctuary, with gold ornaments in her hair, and flowing robes upon her; she drank of the water of the fountain Cassotis, which flowed into the shrine, tasted the fruit of the old bay tree standing in the chamber, and took her seat.

Why Was the Oracle at Delphi Important?

The oracles at Delphi specifically channeled the god Apollo.

What Does Oracle Mean?

By definition, an oracle can be a priestess or priest who serves as a medium to provide prophecies or advice. It can also be the place where such prophecies are given, or it can be the prophecy itself. For the sake of clarity, in this article, the word oracle will usually refer to the priestess, seer, prophetess, medium, or Sibyl.

What Were the Fumes Below the Oracle?

Analyses of the ground and rocks below the temple indicate the presence of ethylene, a sweet-smelling gas, ethane, and methane. These gases flowed to the surface at this spot and could have resulted in delirium and ecstasy. ( Spiller et al. ).

What is the significance of the Delphi sanctuary?

Their mythology tells us that long before Apollo came along, the beloved and all-powerful Zeus, the Father God of the ancient Greeks, released two eagles from the edge of the world to find the middle.

Why did Apollo leave the Oracle?

During the winter, as the Greeks believed, Apollo left the Oracle at Delphi to spend the season in the warm mythical Land of the Hyperboreans. Without their god of light and prophecy, the seers at Delphi did not divine the future until Apollo returned in the spring. The Ancient Greek Story of Narcissus.

Where is Delphi located?

Located about 100 miles northeast of Athens, Delphi was the very navel or center of the world to the Greeks. In the first century CE, Plutarch wrote about the Delphic sanctuary as having a “three thousand years’ old reputation.”. However, the evidence does not support this.

What is the Oracle of Delphi?

High above the slopes of Mt. Parnassus, the Oracle of Delphi represented the epitome of ancient divination. Both the great and the lowly consulted the oracle for advice on personal matters to great questions impacting empires. Croesus acted on the oracles advice in 546 BC and lost an empire; Sparta and Athens received advice enabling them ...

Who visited Delphi?

Even Nero visited the shrine, looting it of many treasures. Delphi was on the proverbial tourist route for many traveling Romans, including the Emperor Hadrian. Yet Delphi was much more than a place to seek answers for the future. Delphi as a Repository of Ancient World Knowledge.

What was Nero told about the Oracle?

When Nero visited the shrine in 67 BC, he consulted the oracle about his future and was told to beware the seventy-third year. The young emperor felt that he would live for many more years. The number 73, however, referred to the age of Galba, who would replace Nero after a palace coup one year later. Edward Champlin refers to several stories involving Nero and the Oracle including the Priestess’ stinging remarks about his act of matricide as well as his personal identification with Orestes, the play by Euripides in which the protagonist kills his mother. Champlin states that none of these stories are verifiable. Suetonius mentions Nero’s visit to Athens (34) but does not mention Delphi.

Why did Delphi decline?

The Roman world supplanted, in many ways, the ultimate need for an oracle to decide state policy. Hence, Delphi declined. Even when visited by Hadrian, the emperor’s question seemed far removed from the once heady inquiries upon which rested the fate of empires: Who were Homer’s parents? For an emperor as literate as Hadrian, the question probably made sense, yet he was not going to trust imperial decisions to what, by then, was viewed as a trivial magic show.

Who wrote that the custodians at Delphi, “amassed a unique corpus of information”?

Michael Grant writes that the custodians at Delphi, “amassed a unique corpus of information” regarding the ancient world. Sarah Pomeroy [1] comments, similarly, that, “The sanctuary became a storehouse of information about political conditions in the wide world.”.

What is the most famous shrine of divination in ancient times?

Oracle at Delphi in the Ancient World: The Most Famous Shrine of Divination in Antiquity. Although the Delphic Oracle is best known for dispensing advice concerning imperial matters such as with Croesus, it became a repository of ancient knowledge and history.

How Did the Oracle of Delphi Work?from historicmysteries.com

Sacrifices were offered by the supplicants, adorned with laurel crowns and fillets of wool. Having prepared herself by washing and purification, the Pythia entered the sanctuary, with gold ornaments in her hair, and flowing robes upon her; she drank of the water of the fountain Cassotis, which flowed into the shrine, tasted the fruit of the old bay tree standing in the chamber, and took her seat.

What Does Oracle Mean?from historicmysteries.com

By definition, an oracle can be a priestess or priest who serves as a medium to provide prophecies or advice. It can also be the place where such prophecies are given, or it can be the prophecy itself. For the sake of clarity, in this article, the word oracle will usually refer to the priestess, seer, prophetess, medium, or Sibyl.

What Were the Fumes Below the Oracle?from historicmysteries.com

Analyses of the ground and rocks below the temple indicate the presence of ethylene, a sweet-smelling gas, ethane, and methane. These gases flowed to the surface at this spot and could have resulted in delirium and ecstasy. ( Spiller et al. ).

What did the prophetess do at Delphi?from historicmysteries.com

A prophetess at Delphi conducted certain physical and spiritual rituals to prepare for Apollo to possess her. Purification of her body was essential. Thus, she fasted before the days of divination and abstained from sexual activity. On the day of her oracular session, she washed in the sacred Castalian Spring and put on special clothing.

What was sacrificed to the gods in the temple?from historicmysteries.com

The sacrifice of a goat or sheep ensured that the gods looked upon her favorably. The southwest corner of the temple of Apollo held a special room called the adyton, which sat below the floor of the temple and was accessible by a set of stairs. Bay leaves (laurel) were a sacred symbol of Apollo and hung in the room and also burned as incense. The seer sat on a gilded wooden tripod placed over an opening in the ground from which fumes rose. Not far from the oracle sat the omphalos stone representing the center of the world. The Pythia began by inducing her divine trance.

Why did the Oracle of Delphi send word to the Oracle?from ehistory.osu.edu

He sent word to the Oracle asking why he was misled. The word came back that he wasn't misled, he had been told that there would be the destruction of a great empire and there was -- his. The world famous Oracle of Delphi played an influential role in ancient history.

When did the Oracle of Delphi become popular?from historicmysteries.com

The prestige and power of the Oracle of Delphi peaked between the sixth century BCE and the fourth century BCE. Kings and Queens, Generals, and soldiers from many countries traveled far to visit the Delphic prophetess. Early on, there was one priestess who divined the future on only one day per year — the birthday of Apollo. Later, as the oracle’s popularity spread, two or three priestesses shared the job by rotating across most days for nine months out of the year.

Why Was the Oracle of Delphi so Important?

The sanctuary at Delphi likely originated from a small, relatively insignificant settlement. Little is known about its early history and the ancient sources all differ on the site’s origins. Some say that it was the location of the tomb of the god Dionysus. Other sources state that Delphi was the home of the ancient mother goddess Gaia. This ancient lineage and the early links with important deities later added status to the oracle and its statements.

What did the Spartans believe after the Pythia?

The Spartans believed that after this statement the Pythia gave instructions for how to reform Sparta and turn it into a great and powerful state. Lycurgus is said to have used this advice to make fundamental changes to Spartan society. He adapted every part of life, from education to marriage, with the sole focus of creating a military state populated by outstanding warriors.

What was the importance of the Oracle of Delphi?

The Oracle played a part in many of the key episodes which shaped ancient Greek civilization. From the age-defining Persian wars, the ultimate battle between East and West, to the vast expansion of the empire by Alexander the Great. But perhaps even more important was its assistance in the development of states, societies, and cultures. City-states such as Athens and Sparta owed a great debt to Delphi. In particular, ancient Athenian politics and culture continue to have a profound influence on western civilization to this very day.

How many days a year did Apollo spend in Pythia?

It was believed that Apollo spent the winter months in warmer climes. This meant that there were only nine available days per year. Anyone could visit the Pythia, but there was a hierarchy depending on where you came from. Visitors ranged from private individuals to city-state representatives and wealthy, exotic kings. But, in seeking the word of Apollo, all mortals were equal.

What was the mistake that Croesus made?

However, Croesus made a fatal mistake and failed to consider this response carefully. He simply assumed that the reference to ‘a great empire’ meant Persia. Not long into the subsequent war, Croesus overstretched his army and soon found himself defeated and captured by the Persians. In a twist of fate, Apollo eventually took pity on him and saved him from execution.

What is the significance of Croesus' story?

Croesus’ story provides a warning on how not to interpret oracular statements. Herodotus’ account shows the importance of careful consideration of the divine word and the dangers of arrogant assumptions.

What was the effect of Solon's visit to Delphi?

Therefore, Solon’s visit to Delphi had a wide-reaching effect on the future of western civilization and its political institutions.

Who built the temple at Delphi?

As the Alkmaeonids were considering every strategy they could think of against the Peisistratids, they accepted a contract from the Amphityons to build the temple at Delphi, the same one that is there now [as of the mid-fifth century BCE], but which had not yet been built at that time. [3] And since they were not only quite wealthy but also distinguished in their lineage, the temple they constructed turned out more beautiful in all respects than the original plan required; for example, whereas the agreement had called for them to use tufa as the building material, they built the façade of Parian marble instead.

Who sculpted the pediments of the Temple of Apollo?

The sculpted decoration of its pediments was the work of the Athenian sculptor Antenor. The east pediment depicted Apollo’s arrival at Delphi in triumph on his four-horse chariot. The west pediment depicted the battle between gods and giants (gigantomachy).This temple was destroyed during the strong earthquake of 373 BC.

What is the Temple of Apollo?

The Temple of Apollo, god of music, harmony, light, healing, and oracles occupied the most important and prominent position in the Delphic Panhellenic Sanctuary. The edifice with the partially restored colonnade visible today dates to the 4th century BC; it is the third temple built at the same place. The famous oracle, the Pythia, operated inside ...

What was the second temple made of?

This temple must have had the form of a hut. The Delphians say that the second temple was made by bees from bees-wax and feathers, and that it was sent to the Hyperboreans by Apollo. [10] Another story is current, that the temple was set up by a Delphian, whose name was Pteras, and so the temple received its name from the builder….

Why was the Temple of Parnassos destroyed?

The site was completely destroyed by zealous Christians in an attempt to remove all traces of Paganism. The ruins of this temple decay at a faster rate than some of the other ruins on the Southern slopes of Mount Parnassos. This is mostly due to the use of limestone, a softer material, along with porous stone.

When was the Pausanias temple built?

The ruins of Pausanias’ "modern temple" are what we see today. Inaugurated in 330 BCE (43 years after the earthquake), it was also of Doric order, on the same footprint as its predecessor, and made of marble-coated porous stone.

What were the Persian shields attached to?

Persian shields taken as booty by the Athenian’s from the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC were attached to the temple’s metopes along with Gallic shields, spoils of the repulse of Gauls during the 279 BC invasion. The construction costs of this iteration of the temple were defrayed by contributions from various cities and individuals.

Overview

Delphi , in legend previously called Pytho (Πυθώ), in ancient times was a sacred precinct that served as the seat of Pythia, the major oracle who was consulted about important decisions throughout the ancient classical world. The oracle had origins in prehistory and it became international in character and also fostered sentiments of Greek nationality, even though the nation of Greece was centuries away from realization. The ancient Greeks considered the centre …

Delphi and the Delphic region

Archaeology of the precinct

Architecture of the precinct

Myths regarding the origin of the precinct

Oracle of Delphi

History

Delphi in later art