Delphi   

Delphi is one of the most important archaeological sites of Greece, and accordingly, it seems to appear in the itinerary of every traveler who is attracted to the oracle that influenced affairs in the known world for over a thousand years.

Peace Center for the ancient Greeks, the second most important monument of Greek culture after the Athenian Acropolis, Delphi combines three functions. First, the sanctuary of the god Apollo. Second, the Delphic oracle. Third, the location of the Pythian Games sports, which preceded the Olympic. The city is located in one of the most beautiful places in Greece, on the slopes of Parnassus, which descend to the Gulf of Corinth.

 Delphic oracle.   It was a hole in the ground, from which proceeded a couple or whether hydrogen sulfide, or carbon dioxide. Over the aperture was set a stone on which sat a prophetess, as a rule it was an elderly woman who was in a trance because of the hydrogen sulfide fumes, mumbled some nonsense, and the priests of the oracle, respectively, interpreted her delirium in a more reasonable statement. Thus in the coming Oracle learned his fate. The questions were very different. It is not surprising that such interpretations can be quite confusing and inconsistent. The most famous case - when the Lydian king Croesus asked the oracle to the question whether or not he start a war with Persia, he was told that if war begins, he will destroy a great empire.

Tales of Greece, and even the research, are accompanied by deviations of the Delphic oracle.
• Apollo killed as a source Kastalsky snake Python;
• after a while as a shepherd noticed a strange change in behavior of animals approaching the cleft;
• as in VII-VI century. BC here was carried out complex rituals associated with the Virgin-Pythia, under the influence of intoxicating vapors shouting incoherent words which the priests have composed a poem in the ambiguous-fulfilling prophecy.

God Apollo was born on the island of Delos, near Mykonos. When he went to find his way in the world, he came to Delphi, and decided that it is an ideal place to build a sacred building. The place was already occupied by a serpent-god Pitos, whom Apollo won, but he continued to read. He named in his honor by the priestess Pythia, who led the church and began his prophetic voice. The old building was set on a steep hillside.
This is a place in the ancient province of Fokis was devoted to the mother goddess Gaia. Pifo - is the ancient name of Delphi was known to Homer, and place it on the serpent Python, the son of Gaia. Aegean god Apollo killed Python in these parts in the vicinity of his "mother" of the island was honored in the form of a dolphin. When he got into the cult of the mysterious land, the Pifo new name appeared: Delphi.

Oracle - is the "official title" priestess of the oracle were, for centuries served as a divine prophetess of Gaia. The priestess sat on a tripod over the cleft in the ground fuming, in a secret room under the temple of Apollo, and murmured their predictions. Priests rhymed hexameters these prophecies and proclaim thirsty Council.

 

 

Delphi - a nice place to stay overnight,  because here at any time of day do not get tired to enjoy the magnificent views of the vast plain, with a flourishing olive groves, from the Gulf of Corinth and Amfissy up to the high mountains of the Peloponnese.