The Oracle of Delphi
Trip Start
Sep 05, 2005
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13
44
Trip End
Dec 15, 2005
Delphi, Greece
Saturday, October 1, 2005
Delphi is the spot that the god Apollo choose for his sanctuary. A stone that was shaped like a naval fell from the sky here; hence it's the center of the world. It was here that housed the most important oracle in Greek history. People, especially of importance, would come to Del[hi from all over to give a sacrifice and then ask Apollo questions. He is the god of prophesy and would relay his answers through a woman, the Apiphia. She would purify her body and enter the naval room. Here she inhaled gases and chewed laurel. When she was in a trance she would utter things. A priest would then interpret what she said. The answers were always vague and could be taken many ways. Many people came with city matters such as policy, war, and about plagues. Themistokles is famous for the oracle given to him about the fate of the Athenians during the Persian War. The oracle said they could survive behind a wooden wall; he took it as a wall of triremes (ships) which did save Athens. The story of Oedipus talks about the oracle at Delphi. His father received an oracle saying Oedipus would kill him and then marry his wife. A big event at Delphi is the Delphic Games which are held every four years. Winners here receive a laurel wreath (Olympics is the olive wreath).
What we saw at Delphi included the agora, temple of Apollo, the theatre, the stadium, and some city treasuries. In the museum we saw the Charioteer. This statue is bronze and hollow-cast of a charioteer winner in the Delphi games. This is rare to have survived. The eyes and eyelashes are still there too, the first that we have seen. I found it really cool to see something more lifelike, a young man, and an athlete. Our trip to Delphi was a dreary, rainy, cold day. Despite this we still enjoyed ourselves. The mist, rain, and clouds gave the place mystery and a feeling of being sacred. It made sense as to why this place in the beautiful mountains would be chosen for the sanctuary. I loved the stadium, where we all attempted to pose for our own races. Being there made it easy to visualize the place packed with people, cheering on their athletic heroes.
