Delphi

Delphi was an extremely important religious and cultural site for the ancient Greeks. Not only was the god Apollo worshiped here, but the Panhellenic Games (precursor to the modern Olympics) were held on this site as well. The first photo is a shot of what remains of Apollo's temple.  

Apollo's temple is quite large, our guide stated that for a reference point it was the same size as the Parthenon on the Acropolis. In my mind's eye I can recreate the whole temple, with it's sturdy Doric columns standing out against the idyllic surroundings. 

The temple is famous for being the home of the oracle at Delphi. One would come to consult with the oracle on any number of questions or decisions to be made. The oracle herself is described as a "blameless" older woman who was chosen for this duty. You would find her inside the Temple of Apollo seated on her tripod stool over a fissure in the floor of the temple.  Literary sources state that gas or vapor escaped from this crack on the floor, putting the oracle into some sort of raving trance.  A visitor would ask the advice of the oracle, and she would give your her prophesy in some sort of unintelligible language. The priests on the site would translate her answer for you.

As you can see, Delphi is extremely vertical. I took this shot from just above theatre, and you can see the Temple of Apollo below it.  The stadium is out of the photo up above me.  Our guide informed us that a hippodrome, for chariot racing, has been discovered down lower in the valley.

The last photo is of the stadium at Delphi.  Delphi was one of the four hosts for the Panhellenic Games which were the precursor for the modern Olympic games.  Track and field events were held in the stadium, but Delphi was unique in that it not only held athletic competitions, but music and dancing competitions as well.

I was quite taken with Delphi and hope to return some day.

More soon.