The desire to know their future was always present, there was a place for single fortunetellers, and for whole temples. Now the Delphic oracle is a phraseology, and in Ancient Greece this phrase meant a place where you could ask a question and get a prediction.
What is the Delphic oracle?
The goddess Gaia was the owner of the oracle, which was guarded by the dragon Python. The structure was inherited first by Themis, and then by Phoebe, who gave it to Apollo. Grandson comprehended the art of divination under the leadership of Pan, arrived to the oracle and became his sole master, killing the dragon. After that, he had only to find the priests for his institution, turning into a dolphin and telling the sailors of the ship they met about their destination. The sailors went to Parnassus and built the Delphic oracle, named after the image in which Apollo appeared to them.
Such serious mythical support helped the servants of the radiant God to gain popularity and weight in society. The temple became popular, its decoration amazed by the wealth - lack of gold cups and other attributes was not. In the ancient world, the Delphic oracle is not only a holy place with professional diviners, but also a political center. Both the commanders and the merchants wished to receive approval of their designs, and therefore military and trade flows were in the hands of the priests.
Delphic oracle - history
Conducted archaeological research proved that the origins of the sanctuary are still in the pre-Greek era. The exact date of foundation of historians is difficult to name, it is believed that the oracle in Delphi appeared between the 10th and 9th centuries BC. In the 7th century a stone church was built, which burned down in 548 BC, it was replaced by a magnificent building in the Dorian style. It existed 175 years before the earthquake, a new oracle was built between 369 and 339 years BC, its ruins are now being studied by researchers. The best period occurred in the 7th to 5th centuries BC. The temple was finally closed in 279 AD.
Priestess of the Delphic oracle
Initially, prophecies were given only on the birthday of Apollo, then on the 7th of each month, and then every day. In the temple of the Delphic oracle, everyone was allowed, except criminals. Before the treatment the question was to undergo the procedure of purification. Pythia gave predictions, and they were interpreted by the priests. Any woman, even a married woman, could become a pythia, but after taking the rank she was required chastity and devotional service to Apollo. Before the work, the priestess washed herself in the source and put on her gold-embroidered clothes.
The Delphic oracle was supplied with narcotic substances, which Pythia inhaled for immersion in the future. In ecstasy she could not speak clearly, so an interpreter was needed, able to give meaning to all the phrases spoken. Ancient authors were able to record a lot of prophecies, some were concrete, others were imaginative.
Delphic oracle and Socrates
Buildings and in ancient times acquired inscriptions on the walls, the oracle of Apollo in Delphi could boast the saying "Know thyself." Authorship was attributed to different sages, Plato claimed that the phrase in gift to the radiant god was presented by seven thinkers. And Socrates said that these words led him to the path of philosophical research, the result of which was the conclusion about the identity between man and soul, he calls the body an instrument. Therefore, in the process of self-knowledge, one should examine one's soul.
Delphic oracle - predictions
Not every of the prophecies went down in history, the following are widely known.
- Crossing the river Galis, you will destroy the great kingdom . Such a forecast was received by Croesus during the war with Persia. He destroyed the kingdom, but his own, and the priests in response to the indignation replied that in the prophecy the name of the victorious state was not.
- Fight with silver spears . Delphic oracle predicted to Philip the Macedonian victory in any battle in the presence of such tactics. He was one of the first minted gold coins that opened the gates of every Greek fortress, considered impregnable.