Frommers.com Frommers.com
Most Recent Destination Forum Posts
Most Recommended Articles
Most Commented Articles
  Print This Article Print Get Frommer's RSS Feed RSS

In Depth

A Look at the Past

Pilgrims came to Delphi from throughout the Greek world -- and much of the non-Greek world -- to ask Apollo's advice on affairs of state as well as small, personal matters. Unfortunately, the god's words were famously hard to interpret. "Invade and you will destroy a great empire," the oracle told Lydian King Croesus when he asked whether he should go to war with his Persian neighbors. Croesus invaded and destroyed a great empire: his own.

Delphi was also the site of the Pythian Games, the most famous festival in Greece after the Olympics. The Games commemorated Apollo's triumph over his oracular predecessor here, the snaky Python. Because Apollo was the god of music, the Pythian Games had more artistic contests than the Olympic Games. When you sit in the theater, you can imagine the flute and lyre contests and the dances and plays staged every 4 years throughout antiquity to honor Apollo.

Like so many ancient sites, Apollo's sanctuary at Delphi was first neglected, and then virtually forgotten during the Christian era. Kings and generals looted Delphi of its treasures; later, locals hacked up the buildings and used the blocks to build their own houses. The modern village of Delphi sat atop the ancient site until the 19th century, when the village was relocated down the road so that archaeologists could help ancient Delphi reclaim its past.


Back to Top


Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.


  Print This Article Print Get Frommer's RSS Feed RSS
Destination Guide
Destination Guide Destination Guide Destination Guide
Destination Guide Destination Guide Frommer's Greece, 7th Edition Destination Guide Frommer's Greece, 7th Edition

Author: John S. Bowman
Pub Date: February 02, 2010
Price: $21.99

Add to Cart
Destination Guide Destination Guide Destination Guide Related Titles:
Europe For Dummies, 5th Edition
Destination Guide
Frommer's 24 Great Walks in Amsterdam, 1st Edition
Destination Guide
Frommer's 24 Great Walks in Edinburgh, 1st Edition
Destination Guide
Destination Guide Destination Guide
Destination Guide Destination Guide Destination Guide
Destination Guide
Destinations
Destinations