August 30, 2024
Day 2 Delphi, Greece. Today’s adventure was again a trip out of the city to the UNESCO site of Delphi. Another day of exploring Ancient Greek mythology.
The Archaeological Museum of Delphi presents the history of the famous Delphic sanctuary and the most prominent Oracle of the ancient Greek world. The collection of the museum presents some of the most important works of ancient Greek art, covering the period from the 2nd millennium BC, before the foundation of the Sanctuary, until Late Antiquity, when a small Christian community was established in Delphi.
The Sphinx of Naxos, also Sphinx of the Naxians, now in the Archaeological Museum of Delphi, is a 2.22 meter tall marble statue of a sphinx, a mythical creature with the head of a woman, the chest and wings composed of the impressive feathers of a prey bird turned upward, and the body of a lioness. The Sphinx stood on a 10 meter column that culminated in one of the first Ionic capitals, and was erected next to the Temple of Apollo in Delphi, the religious center of Ancient Greece, in 560 BCE.
The Greek sphinx, a lion with the face of a human female, was considered as having ferocious strength, and was thought of as a guardian, often flanking the entrances to temples.[1] Sphinxes' depictions are generally associated with architectural structures such as royal tombs or religious temples.
Found at Delphi, this chryselephantine image of Apollo, gold and ivory, archaic style, is dated c. 560 BC. Such statues were striking not only for their exquisite beauty and workmanship but also for advertising the high rank and wealth of those who could afford to have such pieces created. The artistry involved skills in ivory carving, carpentry, sculpture and jewel making as well as constant maintenance. Some scholars attribute this ex-voto to the fabled king Croesus of Lydia, but this is uncertain.
The pan-Hellenic sanctuary of Delphi, where the oracle of Apollo spoke, was the site of the omphalos, the ‘navel of the world’. Blending harmoniously with the superb landscape and charged with sacred meaning, Delphi in the 6th century B.C. was indeed the religious centre and symbol of unity of the ancient Greek world.
I find the ‘navel of the world’-part the most interesting aspect. According to the ancient mythology, Zeus released two eagles to opposite ends of the world to find the centre of the Earth. The two eagles met at Delphi and this is where the navel of Gaia (Mother Earth) was found. This navel in the shape of a stone carried a lot of significance for the ancient Greeks because they believed they could communicate with the gods through this stone.
Found by French excavators in 1896 near the north-west region of the temple of Apollo, the Charioteer of Delphi is one of the few original bronze statues that have passed the test of time. It remained in the same location that Pausania, the Greek travel writer of the second century B.C., found him as evident in his “Guide to Greece” work. Of course, the statue was buried, due to a rock fall avalanche, and had to be rescue. Although recovering this work in Delphi was a great achievement, scholars believe that this is only a part of a much larger work, which remains unknown even now.
The Charioteer of Delphi was created by casting several pieces of bronze, utilizing the lost wax method. In this method, the sculptor must first design and create a clay model. He must model the features in wax. Consequently, he must cover this with clay. Adding the molten bronze causes the wax to melt away and leave behind the end result.
On the way to the actual archeological site. At the foot of Mount Parnassos, within the angle formed by the twin rocks of the Phaedriades, lies the Pan-Hellenic sanctuary of Delphi, which had the most famous oracle of ancient Greece. Delphi was regarded as the centre of the world.
Leading the way is our Viking host for Athens, Andreas, and our history guide, Stadi. Both very personable, helpful, and Stadi is amazing with her knowledge!
The history of Delphi begins in prehistory and in the myths of the ancient Greeks. In the beginning the site was sacred to Mother Earth and was guarded by the terrible serpent Python, who was later killed by Apollo. Apollo's sanctuary was built here by Cretans who arrived at Kirrha, the port of Delphi, accompanied by the god in the form of a dolphin. This myth survived in plays presented during the various Delphic festivals, such as the Septerion, the Delphinia, the Thargelia, the Theophania and, of course. the famous Pythia, which celebrated the death of Python and comprised musical and athletic competitions.
The Treasury of Athenians in Delphi, Greece: The Treasury of the Athenians is one of the most impressive buildings in the Sanctuary of Apollo in Delphi. The treasuries were actually buildings where the city-states used to safeguard their loots from wars and their offerings to god Apollo. Many treasuries existed around the temple, such as the Treasury of the Sifnians and the Boetians, but the most impressive treasury that survives till today is the Treasury of the Athenians.
Note: this is a reconstruction, the only one in the site.
The Oracle of Delphi is world-famous for being the source of prophecies and wisdom in the ancient Greek world. Kings, nobles, philosophers, and common men came from all over the known world to seek answers from the Oracle. The Oracle of Delphi was located at the foot of Mount Parnassus in Greece. It was thought that the Greek God Apollo spoke through the Oracle.
The priestess Pythia would descend from her cave high above in the mountain and proclaim the prophecy she had seen upon this rock.
The scenery from this perch high in the Parnassus is fantastic.
Our group of intrepid explorers, braving the heat and the climb. Another fantastic day.
On the way to and from Delphi, we passed through the beautiful mountain town of Arichova. It is one of the prettiest mountain towns I have ever seen. The road winds through the town center and the bus driver did the most admirable job of navigating that I have ever seen. Click on the link for a photo, however, as the viewpoint for taking a picture of the town was just too far away to do it justice. I borrowed the photo from the internet so I would remember it!
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