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Pythian Games are known to be part of the four Pan-Hellenic Games in Delphi in ancient times. There are evidences of the competitions took place every four years in athletics, theatre, music, poetry, and painting to praise the god Apollo in the year 394 A.D. before Theodosius, the emperor of the Byzantine Empire banned all Pan-Hellenic Games. The competition of the arts was a symbol of peace and took place in ancient Greece around 582 BC and each year before the Olympic Games. These games have similar importance in the society and the organizers declare Delphi Peace accord before the beginning of the games for six months. Delphi became the meeting place on neutral place for networking and resolving conflicts and a place of contributions in the field of art, culture, cultural heritage and education over many years.
About Delphi
ANCIENT HISTORY OF DELPHI
The Origins of Delphi
Delphi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The name “Delphi” was derived from “Dolphin,” as it was then believed that Lord Apollo first visited the region as a dolphin. The ancient Greeks believed Delphi to be the centre of the earth, and it was formerly called Python. Delphi was known as one of the most important centres in Greece in ancient times, having a beautiful Sanctuary of Apollo. It was presumed that the priests and officials used to consult the priestess Pythia, the famous oracle of Delphi, to learn about their future. A stone monument called Omphalos (navel) was marked as the centre of the world, as per the belief of the ancient Greeks. Greek mythology claims that Zeus marked the site of Delphi when he desired to find the centre of his “Grandmother Earth” (Gaia). He sent two eagles flying from the west and the east and found an omphalos (navel of the earth) when both eagles crossed over Delphi. The god Apollo is worshipped in Delphi because he killed a python snake named “Delphyne”, also called “drakiana,” and then became the protector of the region.
Delphi, located about six miles from the Gulf of Corinth in the territory of Phocis in Greece, is situated between two towering rocks of Mount Parnassus, also known as the Shining Rocks. The site contains the sanctuary of Athena Pronania, a virgin goddess of practical skills and wisdom. There are various other buildings, most of which were used for sports, such as the gymnasium, which was used for physical exercises and learning.
A path called the Sacred Way towards the Sanctuary of Apollo leads to a theatre above the temple, and the stadium was built on the same hill as the Temple of Apollo and lined with treasuries and holy monuments. The treasuries were constructed in Delphi as offerings to the God Apollo and to show off the wealth and power of the city. Delphi was a Pan-Hellenic sanctuary for all Greek cities and states.In the 4th century, a theatre with 35 rows and a capacity of 5000 people was constructed with limestone, and many events are still hosted here till date.
Early History of Delphi
The Delphi sanctuary was the centre of the Amphictyony league, a group of 12 ancient tribes during the early Archaic period at the beginning of the 8th century B.C. This league controlled the finances, operations, and other management, including the appointments of the priests and other officials of the sanctuary.
Over the years, the community of Crissa became wealthy from trade and traffic to Delphi around 590 B.C., and they acted immorally towards the sanctuary of Apollo and the pilgrims who went to see the oracle. It is still unknown what Crissa did, but as per some historical evidence, it is claimed that people captured the oracle and defiled the temple.
The league launched the First Sacred War. As per legend, the war continued for about 10 years and ended in the destruction of the Krisa community. However, the league recognised Delphi as an autonomous state, resulting in free access to the sanctuary and reorganising the Pythian Games in Delphi, which have been held every four years since 582 B.C.
Who Built Delphi?
It is also believed that some priests of Knossos brought the cult of Apollo to Delphi and began developing the sanctuary in the 8th century (B.C.). They only built the first stone temple of Apollo and Athena by the end of the 7th century B.C. It seems that Delphi has had a long history throughout the times as a cemetery of Mycenaean settlement (1600–1100 B.C.) existed within the sanctuary area, as per archaeological evidence. Evidence is also there of a sanctuary devoted to the deity Gaia or Athena around 1400 B.C., which might have been destroyed by a rockfall at the end of the bronze era. Archaeologists have also discovered evidence of the Neolithic period (4000 B.C.), the rituals in Corycian Cave and artefacts located on the slopes of Mount Parnassus.
Excavations establish the existence of Delphi in the 15th century BCE and it was first inhabited in late Mycenaean times. The Romans captured Delphi in the early 2nd century BCE and Nero removed about 500 statues from the vicinity. This gradually declined with the rise of Christianity and was ultimately buried under the site of a new village until the late 1800s. Delphi was recognised as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1987. Delphi, like the other religious regions in Greece, also held games to honour the Greek gods. The Pythian Games were the second most important games in Greek history after the Olympics, which were held every fourth year and one year before the Olympics.
The Pythia and Delphic Oracle
The regard for the Oracle of Delphi was at its peak during the period between the 6th and 4th centuries B.C. The rulers and communities seek consultation with the Pythia, who used to operate on limited days over 9 months, thus making Delphi a powerful entity.
These pilgrims expressed their gratitude by offering lavish gifts, and they consulted the Oracle of Delphi on all matters, including private and state affairs. The rulers always seek the oracle before wars and at the time of the Council of new colonies. It is said that Pythia used to enter the holy area and then sit on a tripod chair behind a curtain and inhale light hydrocarbon gases coming from a chasm in the ground, falling into a type of trance, muttering incomprehensible words when Apollo’s priests raise questions posted by the petitioners, and these priests translate these words for the petitioners. The Greeks always believed that the Oracle of Delphi existed since the dawn of time and accurately predicted various historical events.
The demise of Delphi
The Delphi priests were so powerful and were able to bend both political and military powers. Due to multiple catastrophes, a lot of changes took place in the authority of Delphi and the sanctuary of Apollo. The first temple was destroyed by fire in 548 B.C. and lay in ruins for about three decades before being resurrected by the Alcmaeonids (an Athenian family).wars were fought in the middle of the 5th and 4th centuries because of the oracle of Delphi. The sanctuary was ruled by the Phocians of central Greece, and later by the Macedonians under the rule of Phillip II, Alexander the Great’s father.
The Aetolians conquered Delphi in the third century B.C. and ruled for about 100 years until the Romans took over in 191 B.C., though it remained culturally important to some Roman emperors, including Hadrian, including Lucius Cornelius Sulla in 86 B.C.The Byzantine emperor Theodosius outlawed the practise of ancient (pagan) religions and the Pan-Hellenic games, putting an end to the power of the oracle. In A.D. 393 or 394. The statues and temples in Delphi were subsequently destroyed. Theodosius, the emperor of the Byzantine Empire, banned all Pan-Hellenic Games, including the Pythian Games, as being pagan events.