This morning we woke early since we had scheduled a bus tour to Delphi. In order to best explain the historical recognition of this ruin I am going to insert some information from Wikipedia. If you are not interested just slide your eyes down to the start of the pictures where I will being my official journal of today.
=============== Wikipedia Information =============
Delphi (English pronunciation: /ˈdɛlfaɪ/ or /ˈdɛlfi/, Greek Δελφοί, [ðelˈfi][1]) is both an archaeological site and a modern town in Greece on the south-western spur of Mount Parnassus in the valley of Phocis.
In Greek mythology, Delphi was the site of the Delphic oracle, the most important oracle in the classical Greek world, and a major site for the worship of the god Apollo after he slew the Python, a deity who lived there and protected the navel of the Earth. Python (derived from the verb pythein, "to rot") is claimed by some to be the original name of the site in recognition of the Python that Apollo defeated. The Homeric Hymn to Delphic Apollo recalled that the ancient name of this site had been Krisa.
Apollo's sacred precinct in Delphi was a panhellenic sanctuary, where every four years, starting in 586 BC athletes from all over the Greek world competed in the Pythian Games, one of the four panhellenic (or stephanitic) games, precursors of the Modern Olympics. The victors at Delphi were presented with a laurel crown which was ceremonially cut from a tree by a boy who re-enacted the slaying of the Python. Delphi was set apart from the other games sites because it hosted the mousikos agon, musical competitions. These Pythian Games rank second among the four stephanitic games chronologically and based on importance. These games, though, were different from the games at Olympia in that they were not of such vast Importance to the city of Delphi as the games at Olympia were to the city of Olympia. Delphi would have been a renowned city whether or not it hosted these games; it had other attractions that led to it being labeled the "omphalos" (navel) of the earth, in other words, the center of the world.
In the inner hestia ("hearth") of the Temple of Apollo, an eternal flame burned. After the battle of Plataea, the Greek cities extinguished their fires and brought new fire from the hearth of Greece, at Delphi; in the foundation stories of several Greek colonies, the founding colonists were first dedicated at Delphi.
Delphi is perhaps best-known for the oracle at the sanctuary that was dedicated to Apollo during the classical period. According to Aeschylus in the prologue of the Eumenides, it had origins in prehistoric times and the worship of Gaia.
Apollo spoke through his oracle: the sibyl or priestess of the oracle at Delphi was known as the Pythia; she had to be an older woman of blameless life chosen from among the peasants of the area. She sat on a tripod seat over an opening in the earth. When Apollo slew Python, its body fell into this fissure, according to legend, and fumes arose from its decomposing body. Intoxicated by the vapors, the sibyl would fall into a trance, allowing Apollo to possess her spirit. In this state she prophesied. It has been postulated that a gas high in ethylene, known to produce violent trances, came out of this opening, though this theory remains debatable. While in a trance the Pythia "raved" – probably a form of ecstatic speech – and her ravings were "translated" by the priests of the temple into elegant hexameters. People consulted the Delphic oracle on everything from important matters of public policy to personal affairs. The oracle could not be consulted during the winter months, for this was traditionally the time when Apollo would live among the Hyperboreans. Dionysus would inhabit the temple during his absence.
The Oracle exerted considerable influence throughout the Greek world, and she was consulted before all major undertakings: wars, the founding of colonies, and so forth. She also was respected by the semi-Hellenic countries around the Greek world, such as Lydia, Caria, and even Egypt. The oracle was also known to the early Romans. Rome's seventh and last king, Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, after witnessing a snake near his palace, sent a delegation including two of his sons to consult the oracle.
The buildings and structures consisted of: Temple of Apollo; Amphictyonic Council; Treasuries; Altar of the Chians; Stoa of the Athenians; Athletic statues; Polygonal wall; Gymnasium; Hippodrome; Castalian spring; Stadium; Theatre; Tholos; and Sibyl rock. Here is a model showing the site but for more detailed information look on the internet.
Because we had to catch the tour bus by 7:45 we were not able to eat our complimentary breakfast here at the hotel (it starts at 8:30) so we headed over to the Omonia Square. Breakfast included freshly squeezed orange juice (yummy), instant coffee (ok but not great), and freshly made pastry. When you think that we got all this for only 7,20 it sounds cheap..but remember this is Euros not dollars. Still not bad.
We were picked up at the square in a very modern greyhound size bus which actually surprised me that it could get around on these streets. I am not sure if other drivers respect the buses or if they live in fear but regardless it did seem that the bus was able to go where it wanted and the pathways seemed to just appear. Drivers in this country are either very skilful, crazy, lucky, bold, or foolhardy (likely a combination of all these). We learned that the street lights just went in a few years ago and we wonder how anyone got around before. We were told that when you got to an intersection you ‘forced yourway through’ often by yelling at the other drivers to let you through. My nerves would not function well and Wes… well he would still be parked in the driveway waiting for a chance to back out onto the street.
We did notice that the traffic was a lot less congested today but it is Sunday and we were told that at 8 everyone was still asleep… but not our group. We did end up changing buses to a smaller one since there were only 10 of us on this tour and the larger bus was being used for an in town tour group. We got to ride in a brand new bus which was very comfortable.
The drive took over two hours as we headed north and then west into the mountains. We had an excellent view of the Greek country side. This is considered to be a small country with only about 12 million people but it has lots of rich looking farmland. The major crops in this area are all types of fruits, vegetables and cotton. We were informed that the largest number of trees in the country are olive trees just in case you were wondering.
The drive took over two hours as we headed north and then west into the mountains. We had an excellent view of the Greek country side. This is considered to be a small country with only about 12 million people but it has lots of rich looking farmland. The major crops in this area are all types of fruits, vegetables and cotton. We were informed that the largest number of trees in the country are olive trees just in case you were wondering.
As we drove the most impressive town that we came to was in the mountains called Arachova. What made this town so interesting was that it was literally perched on the side of the mountain and it had narrow streets which was the main road barely wide enough for two cars to pass let alone to have parked cars and walkers all around. It was beautiful to look at, but a nightmare to drive through. I would have been more comfortable on a bike - if there were not cars of course.
We finally arrived at the Delphi ruins and spent the next few hours exploring the site. At the entrance to the entire site is the Agora (market place) where all who had questions for the Oracle gathered to write out their question. The priests then collected the questions and they walked as a procession up the hill to the Temple of Apollo pass the Treasuries. There only the priests were able to enter the temple which had 3 rooms. They could only proceed to the 2nd room and the Oracle was in the third. At any rate, the process was the question was read, an answer was given and written on the back of the document with the question and returned to the enquirer. They would then offer a burnt offering before leaving.
Behind the Temple of Apollo is the Auditorium which is theatre where ideas were presented and if considered impressive or valuable your peers, who were listening to you, could present you with recognition and approval by giving you a baccalaureate which means “crowned by laurel” (laurel leaves woven into a crown) or bay leaf trees by the English. The laurel leaf and laurel tree was important to Apollo and the use of a laurel wreath crown was to be crowned victorious. One of the highest honors bestowed at the time in the culture.
Even further up above the Auditorium is the Stadium which we climbed up to as well.
After we finished touring the ruins we walked over to the Delphi Museum which is full of artifacts and exhibits. We were impressed with what has been dug up since they re-discovered the site and started to excavate it. Apparently they estimate that only about 10-15% of the entire site has been excavated to date.
By this time we were ready for our very late lunch so we enjoyed an excellent 3 course traditional greek lunch in the town of Delphi before heading back homeward. We did have one shopping area stop in Arachova which really was a tourist shop. Although there was a lot of souvenirs available the moment you walked in the door someone was rushing to pressure you to buy and that really makes me want to just turn around and walk back out….wait that is what I did. So did Wes. Secondly we are still not going to buy anything that adds to what we are carrying literally on our backs on this trip.
As we left Arachova and headed towards Athens we were surprised to see a beautiful rainbow across the valley. And on the other side as we descended we had a great view of the Gulf of Corinth which connects to the Ioniac Sea.
We arrived back in Athens and to our hotel around 6:30 pm so it has been a long day but we both feel that it was great to see the country north of hear, enjoy the ruins with a guide who was able to share so much history and facts and to do this in a very comfortable relaxed way – no driving for either of us.
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