Temple of Apollo (Delphi)
The Temple of Apollo, also known as Apollonion,[1] (Greek: Ἀπολλώνιον, romanized: Apollṓnion) was a major part of the Panhellenic religious sanctuary located in Central Greece at Delphi. The temple and sanctuary at large were dedicated to one of the major Greek deities, Apollo, the god of archery, music, light, prophecy, the arts, and healing. There have been several temples built at Delphi throughout the history of the site, though the visible ruins seen in modernity are those of the temple built in the 4th century B.C.E. before its destruction under the orders of Theodosius I in 390 C.E..[2] During antiquity, the temple was home to the famous Greek prophetess the Pythia, or the Oracle of Delphi, making the Temple of Apollo and the sanctuary at Delphi a major Panhellenic religious site as early as the 8th century B.C.E., and a place of great importance at many different periods of ancient Greek history.[3] References to Delphi, the sanctuary, the temple, and the prophecies of the Pythia are made throughout ancient Greek mythology and historical accounts from the periods of its use.
Temple of Apollo at Delphi
Location[edit]
Located on Mount Parnassus in Central Greece, the Temple of Apollo at Delphi is part of the Panhellenic Sanctuary at Delphi and occupies a remote, but central location relative to other Greek cities and settlements. The area is historically a major economic site due to the extensive olive groves nearby, as well as a major religious site between the associations with Dionysus and his Dionysian mysteries and Delphi being situated among the southern slopes in a valley north of the Gulf of Corinth. The Temple of Apollo at Delphi was situated within a central area of the sanctuary, surrounded by the Theater, other sanctuaries to Gaia, Dionysus, and Neoptolemus, treasuries housing the offerings dedicated by major Greek polis', and several other statues, stoa, and altars.[4] Beginning at the Castalian Spring where visitors to the sanctuary would purify themselves before entering, the path leading to the Temple of Apollo was referred to as the Sacred Way and was lined with treasuries housing the offerings of different major Greek states, like Athens, Corinth, Boeotia, and Thebes many among others.[4] Within the ancient Greek world, Delphi was considered the center of the universe, marked by the omphalos, or "navel", of the Earth that was located in Apollo's sacred temple.[5] The Temple of Apollo at Delphi was perceived as an incredibly sacred site, considered a major center of ancient Greek religious practice and belief as well as a place intimately connected to the gods.[6]
Statues of brothers Kleobis and Biton of Argos, sons of a priestess of Hera. Made by Polymedes of Argos and dedicated to Apollo by the people of Argos. Delphi, Greece. Archaic, 610 B.C.E. Delphi Archaeological Museum, Delphi.
Two marble simas from the Temple of Apollo at Delphi. The top left was from the Classical temple, bottom right was from the Archaic temple. Delphi, Greece. Delphi Archaeological Museum, Delphi.
Naxian marble statue of the Sphinx of Naxos which would have sat atop a ten-meter call Ionic column. Delphi, Greece. Archaic, circa 570-560 B.C.E.Delphi Archaeological Museum, Delphi.
Marble akroterion of the goddess Nike from the Aarchaic temple. Delphi, Greece. Archaic, 515-505 B.C.E. Delphi Archaeological Museum, Delphi.
Marble sculpture of Dionysus as a kithara player from the Western Pediment of the Classical temple. Accredited to the sculptures Praxias and Androsthenes. Delphi, Greece. Classical, circa 330 B.C.E. Delphi Archaeological Museum, Delphi.
An omphalos found Northeast of the temple, likely a later reproduction of the one that stood in the adyton. Delphi, Greece. Hellenistic or Roman. Delphi Archaeological Museum, Delphi.
Parian marble sculpture of Antinous, the posthumously deified lover of Hadrian. Delphi, Greece. Roman, circa 117-138 C.E. Delphi Archaeological Museum, Delphi.
Media related to Temple of Apollo in Delphi at Wikimedia Commons