Definition: The site of Delphi is the location of a classic Panhellenic sanctuary of Greece, first occupied in the early Archaic period. The shrine to Apollo was dedicated in the 8th century BC, and the site played an important role in the Pythian games (which were one of the four sets of athletic contests held every four years, and, along with Olympia, one of the inspirations of our modern Olympics.
Important architectural pieces of Delphi today include the Temple of Apollo (4th century BC), the Treasury of the Athenians (6th century BC), the stadium (5th century BC), the tholos and the gymnasium. The theater shown in this wonderful photograph is the Roman period version, built atop the original theater built in the 4th century BC.
According to sacred tradition, Delphi was the shrine of the Oracle of Apollo during the classic period. Recent investigations led by John Hale and reported in Scientific American a few years ago suggest that gases beneath the shrine may have created the visions of the Delphic oracle, to which classicist Lisa Maurizio says fie!
Important architectural pieces of Delphi today include the Temple of Apollo (4th century BC), the Treasury of the Athenians (6th century BC), the stadium (5th century BC), the tholos and the gymnasium. The theater shown in this wonderful photograph is the Roman period version, built atop the original theater built in the 4th century BC.
According to sacred tradition, Delphi was the shrine of the Oracle of Apollo during the classic period. Recent investigations led by John Hale and reported in Scientific American a few years ago suggest that gases beneath the shrine may have created the visions of the Delphic oracle, to which classicist Lisa Maurizio says fie!
Sources
John R. Hale, Jelle Zeilinga de Boer, Jeffrey P. Chanton and Henry A. Spiller. 2003. Questioning the Delphic Oracle. Scientific American (online)
Maurizio, Lisa 1997 Delphic oracles as oral performances: Authenticity and historical evidence. Classical Antiquity 16(2):308-334.
Salt, Alun and Efronsyni Boutsikas. 2005. Knowing when to consult the oracle at Delphi. Antiquity 79:564-572.
This glossary entry is part of the Dictionary of Archaeology. Any mistakes are the responsibility of Kris Hirst.
