Delphi: The Navel of the Earth in Apollo’s Oracle

The number of texts written about Delphi is never sufficient. What can be said about the sacred site believed to be the true center of the Earth? Delphi, the navel of the Earth (Γας ὀμφαλός) as it was called, was undoubtedly the most important archaeological site and temple in ancient Greece, featuring prominently in most stories and myths. Let’s find out more about the sacred site of Delphi, as well as its historical significance. 

Delphi Key Facts

Overview

Delphi is without a doubt one of the best-preserved and most significant archaeological sites in ancient Greece. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Delphi, also called the navel (omphalos) of the Earth, is considered an archaeological wonder. The place where the famous Temple of Apollo housed Pythia and the most famous Oracle in ancient Greece. Delphi and the Oracle have been highly praised and sung about in centuries of poems and theatrical plays.

Practical travel tips 

Getting There

Delphi is located north of Athens and can be reached by car or bus. It is about a 2-2.5 hour drive.

Accessibility

The archaeological museum is fully accessible, and the route is unimpeded. The site is not fully accessible, but a vehicle for people with mobility impairments can be booked at least a week in advance.

Best Time to Visit

To enjoy mild weather, spring, and early autumn are better for a visit. However, you can also visit during the summer, since the site is on the mountain, and the weather is colder than in Athens.

Duration of Visit

It is recommended to spend a full day visiting the site and the museum. You can choose an overnight stay for a more relaxing experience.

Budgeting

Accommodation and restaurants are reasonably priced, and there are admission fees for the museum and the site (12 euros at present).

Local Amenities

Delphi is a modern town with restaurants, shops, hotels, and pharmacies. In the event that you require medical attention, the town of Amphissa is nearby.

Delphi in Greek Mythology

Delphi played a significant role in Greek mythology as the most well-known oracle and the city considered to be at the center of the world.

Origins of the Delphi

There are several origin stories regarding the origins of Delphi. Homer and Hesiod both reference the site as Pytho, which suggests that the Oracle did exist from the 8^th century BC.

How was the town of Delphi chosen to house the Oracle? Apollo was looking for a place to set up his oracle, according to the Homeric Hymn to Apollo, which dates from the 7^th century BC. A sanctuary dedicated to the female deity of the earth, Gaia, was once located in the area where the Delphi are now. The sanctuary was guarded by a dragon named Python. The name of the dragon also alludes to the name given to Delphi in Hesiod and Homer.

Apollo chose the tranquil place below Parnassus for his oracle. He slew Python and became the master of the sanctuary. Apollo then transformed into a dolphin and brought the Minoans to the area to establish his sanctuary. Delphi derived its name from the dolphin in which Apollo was transformed.

Another story explains why the place was also known as the navel of the Earth, Γας ὀμφαλός (Omphalos of Gaia). Zeus once sent two eagles to fly across the earth, one from the eastern and one from the western ends. The eagles crossed paths above the sanctuary of Delphi, thus marking it as the center of the Earth. 

The associations of Delphi and Gaia, as well as its place as the “navel of the Earth”, are further highlighted by an egg-shaped stone also named Omphalos. It was supposedly set on the spot where the two eagles met, which was the innermost place of the ancient sanctuary. Even when Apollo was worshipped in Delphi, this stone continued to link the city to the primordial goddess.

The Oracle of Delphi

In ancient Greece, the Oracle of Delphi was extremely important in terms of mythology and religion. Since its inception, people from all over the Mediterranean have come to Apollo for prophecies. Then, Apollo’s high priestess, Pythia, would deliver the god’s message to the oracle seeker.

Pythia was staying in the inner sanctum, where entry was not permitted. She stood on a tripod in front of a chasm. Legend has it that after Apollo killed Python, its body fell into this chasm. Fumes began to rise from the chasm, intoxicating the prophetess, or sibyl as they were called. The sibyl would then fall into a trance, allowing Apollo to possess her spirit and communicate through her.

Pythia’s prophecies took the form of phrases that had dual or unclear meanings. Typically, the prophetess would become intoxicated from the fumes. The chasm may have emitted actual fumes such as ethylene or ethane, but it is also possible that the prophetess chewed or inhaled a hallucinogenic plant native to the area, such as oleander. When Pythia was in a rave, she would begin prophesying in an “ecstatic speech,” which the temple priests would then translate into elegant yet ambiguous hexameters. This absolved the oracle of responsibility in the event that someone “translated” the prophecy in a way that would cause them harm.

Pythia could not be consulted throughout the year. The specific period of time was determined by the Earth’s position in relation to the constellations Cygnus and Lyra. Consultations were never given during the winter, as Apollo spent time with the Hyperboreans. During winter, Dionysus would inhabit the temple.

Noteworthy Predictions of the Delphi Oracle

Let’s take a look at some of the most popular and interesting oracular utterances given by Pythia.

1. In 560 BC, Croesus of Lydia asked the Oracle if he should fight the Persians. The Oracle responded that if he did, he would devastate a powerful empire. Croesus decided to attack the Persians, only to discover that the empire being destroyed was his own.
2. During the Persian Wars in 480 BC, the Athenians received an oracle predicting that a wooden wall would save them. While most were considering lengthening the city walls, Themistocles had a different idea. He claimed that the wooden wall represented the Athenian fleet. The city decided to invest in its fleet, which resulted in their victory over Xerxes at Salamis.
3. Before the Peloponnesian War started, the Spartans sent an envoy to Delphi. The oracle responded diplomatically, “If you fight with all your might, you will win,” which was easily avoided by pointing out that the Spartans did not fight with all their might, and Apollo had nothing to do with it.
4. Another diplomatic yet not-so-impactful answer was to a father who asked whether his child would be a boy or a girl. Pythia answered “boy not girl” in a way that in Ancient Greek could be understood as either “boy, not girl” or “boy not, girl”. Quite resourceful! 

Note: While the oracle statements mentioned above fall into the category of history, we still categorized it under mythology, for their religious significance. 

Delphi in Ancient Greek History

Apart from Pythia and the various oracles, Delphi was a site of major historical significance. Inhabited for centuries and reaching its peak during the classical period, the town of Delphi had a major influence over the whole Mediterranean for a significant amount of time.

The Early Delphi History

The area around Delphi has been inhabited since the Neolithic period. Krissa was a significant Mycenaean stronghold. The aforementioned myths demonstrate that the Oracle played a significant role as early as the 13th century BC when Gaia was worshipped. 

At the beginning of the 8^th century BC, the sanctuary of Delphi became the center of the Amphictyonic League. The Amphictyonic League was an ancient religious association of various cities. The Oracle was under the operation of the Amphictyonic League. 

By the 7^th century BC, Delphi had established itself as the primary site of Apollo’s worship. In addition, Krissa developed into a prosperous port. Its inhabitants, however, were impious toward those who came to visit the Oracle. That sparked the First Sacred War, which lasted from 596 to 585 BC, over control of the Delphi Oracle. Krissa was destroyed, and Athenians reclaimed Delphi from the Phocaean settlers.

Delphi from the classical period forth

During the 6^th and 5^th centuries, the Oracle held great power and people from all over the Mediterranean would visit it. But even more powerful were the politics surrounding it. The Phocaeans regained control of the area as a result of the Second Sacred War (449-448 BC), which occurred within the larger context of the Peloponnesian War. There were a few peaceful decades until the Third and Fourth Sacred Wars in the 4^th century BC, which resulted in the establishment of Macedonian rule over Greece and the Delphi.

Delphi during the Roman and Byzantine Era

Following the Macedonian rule, the site began to lose importance. It wasn’t a religious center or a world-renowned Oracle. Nonetheless, many Roman emperors attempted to preserve and restore the site. Several people sought the Oracle’s statement even in the early Roman Era.

However, the Byzantine Era brought with it strict anti-pagan legislation. As a result, various ancient buildings were completely destroyed, while new Christian religious structures were built on top of them or with material from the destroyed temples (as we discussed in Brauron).

In 381 AD Theodosius I shut down the Oracle. Ever since, the town was abandoned. Between the 15^th and 17^th centuries, investigations and expeditions were held to uncover what was left of the ancient town. Nowadays, through decades of restoration, the ancient site of Delphi is one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. And, of course, the modern town of Delphi is there to accommodate each fellow visitor.

Exploring the Location: Delphi

The architecture of Delphi and the archaeological site are crucial to understanding the layout of the precinct.

Roman Agora

I’ll start by mentioning the first thing you see when you enter the site: the Roman Agora. It was built during the Roman period and stands between the sanctuary and the Castalian Spring. It most likely functioned as both an assembly point and an open market. Numerous columns still stand at the Agora’s entrance.

Temple of Apollo

The most important structure of the archaeological site was the Temple of Apollo. Unfortunately, only ruins have remained, and a few columns of a Doric building surround the temple. The ruins belonged to the fifth temple erected, as the first four temples were destroyed by fire or by invaders.

Theatre

The theatre of Delphi might be by far the most prominent structure among the ruins. It was built during the 4^th century BC, while it was restored in the Roman period. The theatre was built at a very high place on the slope, offering a panoramic view of the valley as well as the sanctuary.

Treasuries

Moving up the slope, we find numerous Treasuries. The treasuries were buildings erected by various Greek towns (like Athens, Boeotia, Siphnos, Thebes, and more) that were used for votive purposes. Usually, they held the offerings that each city made to Apollo.

The Athenian Treasury is fully restored, as a commemoration of the victory at the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC.

Stoa of the Athenians

The stoa, meaning the open-sided porch of the Athenians, is a testament to the power they had over Delphi for many years. It is built in Ionic order, in contrast to the rest of the temple that was built in Doric order. It is an indicator that Athenian business was booming in the area.

Sibyl Rock

The Sibyl rock may seem like an ordinary rock, yet it wasn’t. Set between the Athenian Stoa and the Treasure, it features prominently in the area. It is the place where the prehistoric Sibyl would deliver her prophecies. Some even suggest that it was a place where the priest-acolyte would stand in the Apollonian years, to deliver the final prophecy of Pythia.

Altar of the Chians

The need to mention this specific altar comes from the fact that it was made entirely out of black marble. Surrounded by white marble and colorful pigments, the altar with the inscription “Chios” makes a great impression. It certainly did back then as well!

Tholos and Sanctuary of Athena Pronaea

Another magnificent building is the circular tholos before the sanctuary of Athena Pronaea. The circular tholos was made up of 20 Doric and 10 Corinthian columns. It is not situated on the archaeological site but about a mile east.

Gymnasium, Stadium, Hippodrome

Since Delphi was the home of the Pythian Games, it is only logical that various buildings for athletic games would be erected. The ancient Gymnasium consisted of a stoa and a palaestra, as well as baths on the ground floor. Only ruins remain today, but one can only imagine how important the building was. It was also said that the baths were magical, offering the ability to communicate directly to the god.

The stadium is still in great shape, while it is located even higher than the theater. Unfortunately, there are no significant remains of the Hippodrome, where the chariot races took place.

Last Thoughts

Delphi was undoubtedly one of Ancient Greece’s most influential and powerful religious centers. Its breathtaking setting on the hillside with views of the valley all the way to the sea, as well as its historical and mythological significance, make it a must-see location. You can spend many hours at the site and the Archaeological Museum and you can spend the rest of your day(s) sampling delicious local cuisine at the numerous taverns and restaurants or even visiting nearby Itea for a quick dip in the sea.

FAQs about Delphi

Featured Image Credit: Holger Uwe Schmitt, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons