Delphi is one of the most well-known spots in ancient Greece, made famous by the Delphic Oracle which was believed to have the power to tell the future. It was designed by Trophonius and Agamedes. Dedicated to the god Apollo, Delphi was a revered and sacred spot to people all over Greece. Many believed it to be the omphalos, or center of the entire universe.
Not much is known about the earliest Delphi settlements. The first inhabitants we know about for sure were likely Mycenaeans, around 1500 BCE, and the original religious cult in Delphi was likely centered on the earth goddess Gaia.
Located on a plateau on the side of Mt. Parnassus above the Gulf of Corinth, Delphi is about 100 miles northwest of Athens. The name Delphi is probably derived from Delphinios, a name sometimes used for Apollo because of his supposed connection to dolphins. In Greek mythology Mt. Parnassus has a position similar to that of Mt. Ararat in Judaism. According to legend a boat with Deucalian and Pyrrha landed here after a flood sent by Zeus to destroy the wicked of the Earth.
Even during the classical Greek period there was a significant temple dedicated to Athena in Delphi. This allowed for the continued worship of a goddess alongside the principle god of the site, Apollo, who achieved this position around 1000 BCE. It is believed that Apollo’s cult was brought to Delphi by Dorians or, perhaps, invaders from Thessaly.
The Treasury of Athens from the Temple of Apollo was built around 500 BCE and designed to display spoils from the battle of Marathon. Measuring 10m x 6m, cultic objects, votive offerings, and various documents were stored inside. Many city-states erected treasuries around Delphi to house gifts made by the cities to Apollo in appreciation for his oracles and other assistance to them.
There were many things at Delphi aside from Apollo’s sanctuary. An extensive group of buildings are arranged along a path called The Sacred Way through the Parnassus Mountains. There was a theater made of white marble, a stadium that could hold 7,000 people, a gymnasium with covered and open-air race tracks, and the sanctuary of Athena Pronaia. Little remains today, though. The setting is still dramatic and awe-inspiring, but the Greek religious temples and other sacred structures are gone.
Although many Greek city-states might be in conflict, warfare did not extend to Delphi. This did not mean, however, that the Delphic Oracle was never partial. When Persia invaded Greece in the early 5th century BCE, the oracle advised the Greeks not to resist. They did anyway and won, so they didn't hold it against her. Later, more obvious partiality was shown to powerful cities like Athens or Sparta, leading to a decline in Delphi's popularity and respect.
Although the power and influence of Delphi was once great, it eventually waned and disappeared once Christianity became the dominant religion of Greece. In 362 CE the Oracle stated that the god would no longer speak there, although some think that she was bribed by Christians to do so, and emperor Theodosius officially closed the temple in 393 CE.
The Delphic Oracle could supposedly tell the future because of a Sacred Spring which emitted vapors. The role of Oracle was filled by women, usually called Pythia (a reference to the legend of Apollo killing a dragon named Pytho). The first, around the 7th century BCE, was named Sibyl and thereafter every Oracle was named Sibyl. She sat on the Sibylline Rock to breathe in the vapors that allowed her to make her predications — normally incoherent babbling which had to be interpreted by a priest.
The Sacred Spring of Delphi is in the ravine of Phaedriades. There were two fountains fed by the spring, but they were destroyed. Today scientists believe they have an explanation for the predictions: intoxicating fumes rising from fault lines beneath Delphi. Ethylene, a sweet-smelling gas with a narcotic effect, is in spring water around the site. Inhalation of ethylene, combined with the social expectations of the women, could lead to the euphoric behavior reported in the legends.
Delphic predictions could have considerable influence on the politics and religion around Greece. Most leaders consulted the Oracle of Delphi before any major move and her advice was respected by all involved. That doesn’t mean that everyone understood her, however. Croesus of Lydia went to Delphi before invading Persia and was informed “if you do, you will destroy a great empire.” Croesus assumed this meant he would win, but in fact he would lose — the great empire destroyed was his own.
