Delphi

The world of ancient Greece was rich in spiritualism, faith, mythology, and the ever-present gods and goddesses. The Greeks believed that the gods governed every aspect of their lives. The gods and goddesses were immortal ancients of Greece and ruled on Mount Olympus. In the ancient world, it was believed that fate, destiny, or the gods determined a man's life. As people believed that their future could be revealed, oracles of every kind—personal and political—became a function of Greek society. The most famous being the Delphic Oracles, a site of pilgrimage for Greek and non-Greek alike in search of prophecies about the future.

In Greek mythology, the gods and their offspring created the world and make up the colorful Greek Pantheon, blessing humans with artistry, love, and other gifts. The gods, who were blessed with immortality, superhuman strength, and wisdom, were worshipped and adored by the Greeks. In times of trouble, and on specific days, offerings were made to the gods at their respected temples, which were spread throughout the Greek Empire. Priests and priestesses were in charge of proper ritual conduct, prayers, and libations offered to each assigned deity.

Zeus was considered king of the gods, good luck, and the avenger of murder. Along with Hera, his wife; Diana, the goddess of the hunt; Aphrodite, the goddess of Love; Dionysus, the god of wine; and others, Zeus filled the Greek Pantheon and governed humanity. In addition to being the parents and guardians of the Grecians, the Olympian deities were credited with the mythological tales that would assist children and adults in times of need or that would explain mysteries and set examples for correct moral conduct. The gods' main purpose was to be there to help humans in their lives and share with them a mystical and spiritual relationship.

The magnitude of the importance of gods in the lives of Greeks is demonstrated by the number of sacred precincts that the Greeks erected in dedication to the gods. Temples were where mortals could speak with the gods and appeal to them for help.

One of the most famous precincts or sites is the Delphi. At the Temple of Delphi, the god Apollo helped humankind by giving them the gift of foresight. This would be explained to the Greek pilgrims that made the journey to Delphi by Apollo's priestesses [Page 113]through oracles—the telling of the future events. Delphi is where the god Apollo's son, Asclepias, blessed with the gift to heal, would perform his miracles and heal the sick by divine intervention.

When the Olympian god Apollo came to the pre-Greek site of Delphi, a sacred female snake guarded it. Apollo, though magnificent and powerful, was never able to fully recover from the assault that the Pythoness launched on him. From that moment on, in order to preserve the person of the Pythoness, the servants in the Temple of Apollo were women. The fabled throne of prophecy within the sanctuary of Delphi has been called the “navel of the earth.” From this seat, vapors were emitted causing enigmatic words that were recorded and interpreted as sayings of Apollo. While in trance, the priestess was believed to become the vehicle for the voice of Apollo, uttering prophecies capable of changing the history of the Greek people.

...