HERODOTOS
Chaire, visitor, and welcome to this sacred
site.
HERODOTOS
My name is Herodotos, and I am a traveler
from Halikarnassos.
HERODOTOS
I retrace the cause of various events, such
as wars and great calamities.
HERODOTOS
I describe what I see and record what I'm
told - all with the aim of providing a better
understanding of why these things occur.
HERODOTOS
Look for me to introduce you to many sites.
HERODOTOS
Delphi is an amazing place to visit if you're
looking for information.
HERODOTOS
I've come here on several occasions in search
of answers to some particularly puzzling questions,
and sometimes, I even found them.
HERODOTOS
This is Delphi, home of the renowned Oracle.
Greeks considered it the navel of the world.
HERODOTOS
Pilgrims and kings journeyed here from all
over Greece and beyond, seeking advice from
Apollo through the voice of his interpreter,
the Pythia.
HERODOTOS
During your visit, you will experience the
sanctuary through a pilgrim’s eye, and discover
how important oracles and prophecies were
to the people of Greece.
HERODOTOS
Now, go off and begin your pilgrimage.
HERODOTOS
I will be waiting for you at the end of your
visit.
NARRATOR
On their journey to the Temple of Apollo,
pilgrims walked this sacred path up Mount
Parnassos.
The summer sun beat down hot on their backs.
NARRATOR
Along the way, they took in the magnificent
monuments, treasuries, and statues that adorned
the road.
NARRATOR
These landmarks were tokens of people's reverence
for the Oracle's benevolence.
NARRATOR
All were dedicated to Apollo, and most were
offered by cities to commemorate military
victories.
NARRATOR
The monuments represented not only their donors'
piety, but also their power and wealth.
NARRATOR
The sanctity of Delphi has endured to the
present day, and visitors still take this
very same route.
NARRATOR
One of the most impressive dedications to
Apollo came from the Knidians, a Greek population
that colonized the island of Lipari, north
of Sicily.
NARRATOR
The story behind this dedication is notable.
NARRATOR
The Knidians were at war with the Etruscans
in the Tyrrhenian Sea.
NARRATOR
Seeking a good omen, the Knidians consulted
the Oracle, and following her advice, they
successfully captured twenty enemy ships.
NARRATOR
To thank Apollo, they offered the god the
same number of statues as ships seized.
NARRATOR
Next to the Naxian Sphinx stood a simple structure
to display offerings from the Athenians, most
of which were spoils of war.
NARRATOR
In particular, these offerings - called "ex-votos"
- were prows of sunken Persian ships.
NARRATOR
The Athenians built the portico after their
naval victory over the Persians in 478 BCE.
NARRATOR
Once arriving before the temple, pilgrims
wishing to consult the Oracle had to first
pay a tax.
NARRATOR
This tax gave them the initial right to approach
the altar of Apollo and make an animal sacrifice
to the god.
NARRATOR
But before proceeding to the Pythia, the preliminary
ritual had to succeed.
NARRATOR
If the animal reacted favorably and showed
signs of acceptance to the god, it was sacrificed,
and the pilgrim would be allowed to enter
the temple to question the Pythia.
NARRATOR
At last we arrive at the Temple of Apollo,
where the Oracle relayed her prophecies.
NARRATOR
The temple was the final destination of those
seeking an audience with the Pythia, and its
appearance matched the majesty of its purpose.
NARRATOR
Atop its imposing columns, the structure's
pediments displayed famous mythological scenes
sculpted by the renowned Greek artist Antenor.
NARRATOR
But as grand as the temple looked from the
outside, it paled in comparison with what
happened within.
NARRATOR
Prophecies were given in the most restricted
part of the temple, the adyton, by a chaste
woman known as the Pythia.
NARRATOR
Before delivering prophecies, she first purified
herself with water, then burned laurel leaves
and barley flour to begin the ritual.
NARRATOR
Finally, while seated on a tripod surrounded
by offerings, the Pythia delivered Apollo's
messages.
NARRATOR
Her words were often strange and indecipherable,
and required further interpretation by the
temple's priests.
NARRATOR
Despite much research, the exact causes of
the Oracle's behavior while prophesying are
debated to this day.
NARRATOR
Myths say that while searching for an oracle
who could impart their words to mortals, Apollo
established a sanctuary on Mount Parnassos.
NARRATOR
Apollo took over this site by slaying its
sinister guardian, the snakelike Pytho.
HERODOTOS
Your visit is complete.
HERODOTOS
I hope you now understand how important this
sanctuary was, and how it affected the lives
of people both in the Greek world, and beyond
its borders.
HERODOTOS
To be honest, I could speak about Delphi all
day!
But what would you like to do now?
HERODOTOS
Ah, you wish to test your knowledge?
Let's begin with a simple question.
HERODOTOS
What did the Oracle use to purify herself
before her predictions?
The Greeks used olive oil for things like meals
and medicine, but it was not required to purify
the Oracle.
Try again.
HERODOTOS
Fire was used to burn laurel leaves and barley
flour before the prediction, but not for purification.
Try a different answer.
HERODOTOS
What did the Oracle use to purify herself
before her predictions?
HERODOTOS
While animal sacrifices were required to see
the Oracle, their blood was not used in the
purification ritual.
Try another answer.
HERODOTOS
Correct!
The Oracle used water for purification.
HERODOTOS
Time for another question.
HERODOTOS
Which god was believed to speak through the
Oracle at Delphi?
HERODOTOS
The god of the underworld was both feared
and respected by mortals, but he did not speak
through the Oracle at Delphi.
Try another answer.
HERODOTOS
There is evidence of oracular sites dedicated
to Zeus, but Delphi was not one of them.
Keep trying.
HERODOTOS
Which god was believed to speak through the
Oracle at Delphi?
HERODOTOS
Hermes did not speak through the Oracle at
Delphi.
When you’re the messenger of the gods, you
surely can’t stay in one place for too long!
Try again.
HERODOTOS
Yes!
The Oracle allegedly spoke the words of Apollo,
which were then interpreted by priests.
HERODOTOS
One final question for you.
HERODOTOS
Delphi is situated on which mountain?
HERODOTOS
Olympos is notable for its association with
the gods, but it is not the site of Delphi.
HERODOTOS
No.
You may want to check a map.
HERODOTOS
Delphi is situated on which mountain?
HERODOTOS
This mountain is known for being the supposed
site of Herakles's death, but it was not close
to Delphi.
HERODOTOS
Correct!
Delphi stood on the slope of Mount Parnassos.
HERODOTOS
Well done, traveler.
Your knowledge rivals that of the wisest philosophers.
HERODOTOS
As you wish.
It has been a pleasure sharing Delphi with
you.
