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The Oracle of Delphi -

The Oracle of Delphi was highly respected and revered throughout ancient Greece.

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Zeus -

According to Greek mythology, the site of Delphi was chosen by Zeus himself. Legend has it he sent two eagles from Mount Olympus to find the center of Mother Earth.

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Mount Parnassus -

One eagle was sent east, the other was sent west. The eagles crossed at the site between the two rocks of Mount Parnassus, and it was declared the center of the world by Zeus.

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High priestess -

The Oracle of Delphi was a high priestess who served as a conduit for the god Apollo at the Temple of Apollo in Delphi, Greece.

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Homer -

In the Homeric 'Hymn to Apollo,' the first time Apollo arrives in Delphi he comes in the form of a dolphin.

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Apollo -

She was considered to have been chosen by Apollo to serve as his voice on Earth. Legend said that Apollo had slain a Python at Delphi.

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Pythia -

The Oracle of Delphi was also known as the Pythia (derived from Python). This was the original name for the site where Delphi stands, tying back to Apollo's legend.

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Pythia -

The Pythia was one of the most powerful women in the ancient world. Her position was established around 8 BCE.

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Prophecy -

The prophecies of the Pythia were sought after by kings, emperors, and commoners alike.

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Consultation -

The Oracle was consulted regarding matters of war, politics, and personal matters. Politicians, lawmakers, and the leaders of cults sought the advice of Apollo on these issues.

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Independent -

Delphi was unique in ancient Greece. It was seen as an independent actor, as it was not under the governance of the nearby city-states. Therefore, Delphi was considered a neutral third party for resolving disputes.

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Peak -

The peak time period where people sought the guidance of the Oracle of Delphi occurred between 6 BCE and 4 BCE.

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Characteristics -

Although there is little evidence about how she was chosen, it's believed the priestess had to be a native of Delphi and of good character—and, more than likely, from an influential family—to qualify for the role of Pythia.

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Preparation -

Laurel leaves would be burned each year on the days where the Pythia delivered her prophecies, as an offering to Apollo.

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Purification -

Prior to delivering her prophecies, the Pythia would spend days in purification rituals. During this time, she would fast and drink holy water, and bathe in the Castalian spring.

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Adyton -

The adyton was the sacred room where the Oracle gave her predictions. She would sit on a bronze tripod seat close to a crack in the floor where vapors were released by the spring beneath.

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Laurel -

Laurel was Apollo's sacred tree, and the Oracle of Delphi would sometimes also chew the leaves before fortune-telling.

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Trance state -

The Oracle would breathe deeply, reaching a hallucinogenic state.

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Ambiguous -

Her predictions were cryptic, often spoken in ambiguous rhymes.

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Recorded -

The verses spoken were recorded by priests surrounding her, who would interpret them.

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Fumes -

The temple was built around a natural gas vent, which may have contributed to the Oracle's altered state.

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Fumes -

The sanctuary at Delphi was built around a sacred spring.

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Fault lines -

Initially the Delphic fault was considered a myth. Then in the 1980s, scientists discovered two separate fault lines crossing beneath the site.

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Fault lines -

The two fault lines would have caused friction with each other, and this friction would have released methane and ethylene into the water beneath the temple.

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The serpent -

The serpent of Delphi is a bronze column that was constructed to represent three snakes twisting around each other to form a shaft.

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Warmer months -

Initially, predictions only took place at Delphi during the warmer months.

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Dionysus -

It was believed that Dionysus took Apollo's place in Delphi during the colder winter time.

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Theater -

Further up the hill from the Temple of Apollo, the theater provided musical events, plays, and poetry readings to audiences at periodic festivals in Delphi.

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Famous figures -

Sophocles and Alexander the Great were among those who consulted the Oracle of Delphi.

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UNESCO World Heritage -

The site at Delphi was inhabited before the Oracle, with evidence of settlement in the Neolithic era. It's now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Sources: (History Cooperative) (Atlas Obscura) (Britannica) (Screen Rant)

See also: Where to find America’s most compelling UNESCO World Heritage Sites

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