Delphi

History

The site of Delphi served as a cultic center beginning some time before the 10th century B.C. Votives were used ca. 800 B.C. and within a century the oracle of the priestess Pythia came here. When the cult of Apollo Delphinios (worship of an island deity in dolphin form) was brought to the region from Crete, the city acquired its name “Delphi.” After the Dorian Invasion in 1100 B.C., the sanctuary at Delphi became the center for the Amphictyonic League, a group of 12 tribes representing city-states throughout the surrounding regions. It included Thessalians, Achaeans, Ionians, Dorians, and cities such as Athens and Sparta.

Temple of Apollo

The Temple of Apollo was first built in the 7th century B.C. Fire destroyed this structure in 548 B.C., and a larger structure replaced it, constructed from 536-505 B.C. Some remains of that temple have been found, including the pediment, although it was destroyed in 373 B.C. The temple whose remains can be seen today dates to the mid- to late-4th century B.C. Xenodoros and Agathon built the Doric peripteral temple, fired by Thracian invaders and Sulla in the 1st century B.C., but Domitian repaired it. In the Middle Ages, the metal clamps were stolen and the temple left in disrepair. The temple was restored in 1939-41.

Theater

The theater is quite well-preserved, dating to the 4th century B.C. Eumenes II of Pergamon restored it in the 2nd century, as did the Romans later. It was used for musical and theatrical portions of the Pythian Games and for meetings of Delphian citizens. Thirty-five rows provided seats for 5000 spectators as well as an excellent view overlooking the Temple of Apollo.

Stadium

The Delphi stadium was located at the highest part of the city, partially cut into the rock. It originally sat down on the Delphian plain but was moved to this position in the 2nd and 3rd centuries A.D. The track was 600 Roman feet long and could hold 17 or 18 runners. Starting in 591 B.C., the athletic portions of the Pythian Games were held here every eight years, commemorating Apollo's slaying of the serpent Python. The stadium could seat about 6500 spectators.

Marmaria

The Marmaria was the Sanctuary of Athena, who was considered to be the guardian of the temple. It included several structures, including the temple of Athena Pronoia and the temple of Athena Ergane. This tholos, or rotunda, was built in the early 4th century B.C. by the architect Theodoros. Twenty Doric columns surrounded a three-stepped platform. These three columns, reconstructed in 1938, show what the tholos would have looked like when it was still standing.

Related Websites

Delphi (Hellenic Ministry of Culture) Provides general information about the site's history, its excavation and reconstruction, and some of its significant structures. For a webpage on the archaeological museum located at the site, click here.

Site Catalog Name: Delphi (Perseus Digital Library) A comprehensive source which includes a description of the site, a summary of its history, a few plans, and over 100 photographs.

Delphi (goGreece.com) Features four 360 degree images taken at Delphi.

Delphi: The Sanctuary of Apollo (Greek Art and Architecture) Offers almost 20 photos of the site, but some images are sharper than others. Also offers pictures of some artifacts in the museum here.

Delphi 2004 (Personal Webpage) A number of photos taken at Delphi in 2004. Little text, but some good pictures.