#WindsdayWonders: 2024/03/20 -- The Pythian Oracle at Delphi

 

WINGED WORDS WINDSDAY

Compiled & Edited by Rob Chappell (@RHCLambengolmo)

Editorial Associate: S. A. Sonnenschein

Vol. 3, No. 21: March 20, 2024

 

Celebrating Women’s History Month

Episode #3: Pythia, the Delphic Oracle

 

Editor’s Note

                This week, we continue our celebration of Women’s History Month by providing some poetry and prose about the Delphic Oracle, known as the Pythia. The Pythias were a succession of priestesses who served, each in turn, as the wisest and best-regarded oracle in the Greek-speaking lands. We begin with the tale of King Croesus of Lydia and the Pythia, which is intertwined with the life of Cyrus the Great, the first Persian Emperor. We then have a historical survey of the oracle through time, followed by a piece of historical fiction about the Pythia during the Heroic Age of Mycenaean Greece. We conclude with some words of wisdom from my esteemed Editorial Associate. Enjoy!

 

The Second Monarchy, Being the Persian (Excerpt)

By Anne Bradstreet (1612-1672)

Cyrus Cambyses’ Son of Persia King,

Whom Lady Mandana did to him bring,

She daughter unto great Astyages,

He in descent the seventh from Arbaces.

Cambyses was of Achaemenes’ race,

Who had in Persia the Lieutenant’s place

When Sardanapalus was overthrown,

And from that time had held it as his own.

Cyrus, Darius’ Daughter took to wife,

And so unites two Kingdoms without strife.

Darius unto Mandana was brother

Adopts her son for his having no other.

This is of Cyrus the true pedigree,

Whose Ancestors were royal in degree:

His Mother’s dream and Grand-Sire’s cruelty,

His preservation, in his misery,

His nourishment afforded by a switch,

Are fit for such, whose ears for Fables itch.

He in his younger days an Army led,

Against great Croesus then of Lydia head;

Who over-curious of wars event,

For information to Apollo went:

And the ambiguous Oracle did trust,

So overthrown by Cyrus, as was just;

Who him pursues to Sardis, takes the Town,

Where all that dare resist, are slaughtered down;

Disguised Croesus hoped to escape in the throng,

Who had no might to right from wrong,

But as he past, his Son who was born dumb,

With pressing grief and sorrow overcome:

Among the tumult, blood-shed, and the strife

Brake his long silence, cried, “Spare Croesus’ life”:

Croesus thus known, it was great Cyrus’ doom,

(A hard decree) to ashes he consume;

Then on a wood-pile set, where all might eye,

He “Solon, Solon, Solon,” thrice did cry.

The Reason of those words Cyrus demands,

Who Solon was? to whom he lifts his hands;

Then to the King he makes this true report,

That Solon sometimes at his stately Court,

His Treasures, pleasures pomp and power did see,

And viewing all, at all nought moved was he:

That Croesus angry, urged him to express,

If ever King equaled his happiness.

(Quoth he) “that man for happy we commend,

Whose happy life attains an happy end.”

Cyrus with pity moved knowing Kings stand,

Now up and down, as Fortune turns her hand,

Weighing the Age, and greatness of the Prince,

(His Mother’s Uncle) stories do evince:

Gave him his life, and took him for a friend,

Did to him still his chief designs commend.

 

View of Delphi with Sacrificial Procession by Claude Lorrain. (Image Credit: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)

 

“The Delphic Oracle: A Historical Overview”

By Allison Stockett, Contributing Writer

                The Pythia, the oracle at Delphi, was one of the most powerful and influential women in the Greek world. She was considered to be the conduit of Apollo, the god of prophecy and truth, and she was entrusted with delivering divine messages, predictions, and wisdom to people throughout the Mediterranean and beyond.

                The historical origin and status of the Pythia as the oracle at Delphi evolved over time. In the Archaic period, the Pythia was typically a female resident of Delphi who had been chosen for the role, whereas by the Classical period she was a professional priestess and member of the cultus of Apollo.

                The Pythia was a key part of Delphi's cultus and temple of Apollo. She played a crucial role in the oracles that were given and the rituals that took place at the sanctuary. She was viewed as the mouthpiece of Apollo, who communicated through her to bestow divine guidance and wisdom to individuals who consulted the oracle.

                Delphi represented a sacred site of great importance in the ancient Greek world. It was a place of pilgrimage for people from throughout the Mediterranean and beyond. Its oracle was regarded as one of the finest and most credible in the Greco-Roman world, and oracle-seeking was a popular activity for the educated members of the elite.

                The oracle at Delphi was a powerful political and ideological tool for the city-state of Delphi, which used the oracle to legitimize its status and power, as it was the official center for oracular consultations in Greece. Through control of the sanctuary and oracle, Delphi was able to exert its influence and authority over other Greek city-states, particularly in the 5th century BCE, during the height of the Greco-Persian Wars.

                The cultus of Apollo and the oracle at Delphi was an important part of the life and heritage of Delphi. The cultus and its practices played a central role in the rituals and celebrations that took place at the sanctuary. The oracle was also a focal point for the collection of treasures, as it was believed that offerings and treasures donated to the oracle brought favor and protection from the gods.

                The Pythia was one of the most prominent figures in the cultus of Apollo, and she was the oracle at Delphi. She was regarded as a mouthpiece of the god and his sacred power, and the oracles she delivered held great influence and reputability. In the Archaic period, the Pythia was selected from among the women residing in and around Delphi and chose to take up the role. By the Classical period, she was professionally appointed as a priestess and lived in the temple.

                In Greek mythology, the origin of the oracle at the Delphic temple of Apollo is a significant story. According to the myth, the site of the oracle was chosen by a talking snake that gave the Greek hero, Python, its name when he was seeking a place to establish a temple dedicated to Apollo. The temple was built in the center of the sacred site known as Delphi, which was said to be the birthplace and center of the universe.

                The Delphic temple was originally a wooden structure before it was replaced by a stone temple that was constructed in the 6th century BCE during the early Classical period. The temple was dedicated to Apollo and housed the famous golden statue of the god that was erected by the Phocian leader, Polymelos, in the 6th century BCE during the war between the Delphians and the Phocians.

                During the Classical period, the Delphic oracle rose to great prominence, partially due to the increasing power of the Delphic League, which was formed by a collection of Greek city-states and which was centered on Delphi. In the 5th century BCE, Delphi was a central location for major political gatherings and events, and the oracle was consulted regularly by political and military leaders seeking guidance and insights.

                The oracle at Delphi played such a vital role in the Delphic League and the political machinations of the Greco-Persian Wars that the Persian army led by Xerxes attempted to destroy the oracle in 480 BCE, during the Second Sacred War. The oracle was successfully protected by the Delphian military forces, and, after their victory in the war, the Pythia delivered prophecies and oracles related to the triumph that would be enjoyed by the Greeks over the Persians.

                In the 4th century BCE, Delphi experienced its golden age, reaching the height of its stature and influence. Delphi was a center of international tourism and pilgrimage, and the sanctuary itself was enriched with treasures and gifts from people around the Mediterranean and throughout the Greco-Roman world. During the Third Sacred War, the oracle was once again the focal point of a conflict between the Phocians and the Delphians, as well as their allies on either side. The Greeks emerged victorious and were subsequently granted privileges and special status by the Delphian League.

                Through the 3rd century BCE and into the Hellenistic period, Delphi experienced a period of prosperity and growth. The Delphic League was restructured in the 3rd century BCE under the hegemony of Macedon, though Delphi remained a semi-independent and autonomous entity within the league. Delphi's sacred status was also recognized by the leading Macedonian king of the time, Antigonus Gonatas, who rebuilt the temple in the 3rd century BCE. Delphi's prosperity continued during the Hellenistic period, and the temple and oracle remained highly revered.

                By the end of the Hellenistic period and into the Roman Empire, Delphi became a center of academic inquiry and learning, particularly during the time of the Roman emperor Hadrian. Hadrian himself was deeply interested in ancient Greek philosophy and culture and was a patron of the arts and humanities. He initiated a large-scale reconstruction of the sacred sanctuaries at Delphi, including the temple and the oracle, which continued into the 3rd century CE during the time of the Roman emperor Aurelian.

                In the late Roman empire and the early Byzantine empire, Delphi experienced a period of decline. The sanctuaries became smaller and less elaborate, and the oracle was consulted mainly by individuals seeking personal guidance during times of crisis and adversity. By the end of the Byzantine Empire, Delphi's sacred status had declined, though it continued to attract pilgrims and visitors up until the arrival of the Ottoman Turks in the late 15th century.

                With the Ottoman invasion and establishment of the Ottoman Empire in the area, Delphi experienced a period of deep decline. The sanctuary was largely abandoned, and the oracle was abandoned, although small temples and shrines continued to exist in the area due to its historical importance. The Greeks reclaimed Delphi in the 19th century, and archaeology resumed at the site. Delphi has now become a famous tourist attraction and place of academic study.

                Today, Delphi remains a major archaeological site and historical tourist attraction. It has been extensively studied by archaeologists and historians, and it receives thousands of visitors each year who come to explore the ancient sanctuary, sacred site, and oracles. Delphi's sacred nature and powerful historical legacy continue to draw in researchers, tourists, and individuals seeking the wisdom of the Pythia. It is a testament to the timeless and universal nature of the Greek cultural heritage and the enduring fascination of the Pythia and the Delphic oracle.

 

“The Shadow and the Vision: A Tale of the Pythia”

By Anika Joshi, Staff Writer

                Editor’s Note: This piece of historical fiction is set around 1600 BCE, during the early days of the Mycenaean Period in Greece. About this time, the Thera volcano in the Aegean Sea erupted, sending forth a devastating tsunami and other calamities all over the Eastern Mediterranean region.

 

The Pythia's robe,

A shroud of divine insight.

The oracles of Apollo,

A chorus of truths and wisdom.

The air is sacred and still;

The ground whispers secrets

Between the Earth and Sky.

Voices of the gods and spirits,

Fills the chambers of truth

And echoes through time.

 

                Once upon a time, in a land far away, there lived a wise woman known as the Pythia. She was a priestess and oracle, renowned in her community for her wisdom and ability to prophesy the future. The Pythia lived in a small temple, which was dedicated to the gods of her people. She spent her days in devotion and prayer, listening to her inner voice and seeking guidance from the divine.

                The Pythia had spent many years in spiritual practice and had cultivated her inner wisdom. She was well-respected in her community and known for her foresight and knowledge of the metaphysical. She was often sought out for advice or answers to difficult questions.

                One day, while the Pythia was meditating, she had a vision of a shadowy figure who spoke to her and gave her a message for the world. The shadow figure told the Pythia that a great crisis was coming for the world, one that would shake the foundations of humanity and bring pain and suffering. The Pythia was alarmed by the vision and knew that she must warn the people, but she struggled to make sense of the cryptic message.

                The Pythia was anxious and conflicted about the vision, unable to interpret its true meaning. She struggled to understand the shadow figure's warning, wondering what it meant and how it would unfold in the real world. She was also unsure of whether the people would believe her if she shared the vision with them.

                The Pythia was caught in a dilemma. She knew she had to share this important message with the people, but she feared that they wouldn't believe her or take her seriously. She also knew that there were forces at work who would seek to silence her, to prevent her from speaking the truth.

                The Pythia knew that there were those who would try to silence her or discredit her, afraid of what she knew and the power of her words. She was a threat to the status quo, and she knew that her life was in peril. Her vision and its implications would rock the foundation of society, and those who wanted to remain in power would do anything to prevent her from sharing it.

                The Pythia was resolved to share her vision with the people, despite the risks and dangers she faced. She knew that the implications of her message were too important to remain hidden, and she was willing to risk her life to share it. Despite the opposition and obstacles she faced, she stayed true to her calling and her mission.

                The Pythia struggled with fear and trepidation as she prepared to share her vision with the people. She knew that her words would be rejected by some and ridiculed by others, and she knew that she might face criticism or even persecution. But, despite all the turmoil she felt inside, she believed that her message was too important to keep secret.

                The Pythia summoned her courage and gathered her strength. She took a deep breath and went out before the people, determined to share her vision with them. She stood and began to speak.

                The people were silent as the Pythia began to speak. She shared her vision of the shadowy figure and its cryptic message. She told them of the great crisis that was coming, and she warned them to be prepared. Her words were profound and powerful, and the people were stunned into silence.

                The people were gripped by fear and confusion as they listened to the Pythia's words. Some were skeptical and resistant, refusing to believe what she was saying. Others were concerned and uncertain, unsure of what to make of her vision. Some understood the seriousness of the situation, and they began to prepare themselves for the crisis that was coming.

                The Pythia finished her speech, and the people were left with a lot to mull over. Some dismissed what she had said as mere superstition or a delusion, while others took it to heart and began to prepare. The Pythia hoped she had made a difference and that her words had been heard. She had done what she could to warn the people, and now she waited to see what would happen.

                A few days passed, and the people remained uneasy and concerned about the Pythia's message. Some were still skeptical, but others were starting to take it seriously. Some made preparations for the crisis that was to come, while others merely tried to forget about it and carry on as usual.

                Another few days passed, and the people still discussed and debated the Pythia's warning. Some believed that she had been right, while others were still skeptical. The pressure was mounting, and the tension was rising. They waited to see what would happen, hoping that the vision would prove to be wrong.

                More days passed, and the people watched and waited, unsure of what to expect. The tension was growing, and the feeling of foreboding was becoming overwhelming. The Pythia's vision loomed large, and people struggled to make sense of it. They looked around for any signs or foreshadowing.

                As people waited for the crisis that the Pythia had predicted, they began to notice signs and portents. There were strange occurrences and unsettling events that suggested that something was indeed about to happen. The tension was mounting, and people began to feel even more anxious and fearful.

                The signs and portents continued, and people started to feel even more frightened and anxious. There were reports of strange weather phenomena, unexplained animal sightings, and other odd occurrences. People began to wonder if the crisis was indeed happening, and some even started to blame the Pythia for her warning.

                Fear and hysteria spread, and people were looking for someone to blame. Some turned on the Pythia, accusing her of causing the tension and worry with her warnings. She was blamed for the strange occurrences and portents, and there were even rumors that she had somehow caused the crisis that she had predicted.

                While people were trying to find someone to blame, the tension and worry continued to mount. There were more and more strange occurrences and portents, and the situation was becoming even more unsettling and frightening. People were beginning to wonder if the Pythia had been right all along.

                Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, and still no catastrophe came despite all the signs and portents. The tension continued to build as people waited for something to happen, and the uncertainty and anxiety increased. People began to wonder if the Pythia had been wrong after all, or if the crisis would never come.

                Suddenly, one day, the crisis hit, and it hit hard. It was a sudden and unexpected event, and it caught everyone by surprise. The tension and anxiety turned into fear and panic, and people were suddenly confronted with a situation that was worse than they could have imagined.

                It was a great flood that swept over the land, burying everything in its path. The floods ravaged the entire Greek world, destroying cities, towns, villages, and farms. It was a cataclysmic event of unimaginable destruction, and it impacted everyone, leaving no one untouched.

                The floods continued for days, weeks, and even months, causing extreme devastation. Whole regions were underwater, and cities were submerged. Roads and transportation networks were destroyed, and food sources were ruined. People were forced to flee their homes, and they were left with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

                The floods continued to rage on and on, destroying everything in their path and wreaking havoc all over the land. The destruction was immense, and the chaos was unimaginable. People were displaced and left without shelter, food, water, or any means of support. They faced a dire situation, and they had no way of getting help or escaping.

                After an unknown amount of time, the floods lessened, and the waters began to recede. The destruction was immense, but somehow, through the devastation and despair, there was a glimmer of hope. The water drained away slowly, and the landscape began to resurface. New life emerged in the aftermath, and the Greek world began to take shape again.

                In the aftermath of the great flood, people were left with nothing but their lives, yet out of the utter destruction and despair, a new dawn emerged. The landscape was changed, and the world seemed brand new. People began to rebuild, and the process of rebirth and renewal began. Slowly, the Greek world was taking shape again, and life was beginning to blossom once more...

                The Pythia, too, had survived the great flood, and she was among those who helped to rebuild. She had faced her fears and remained steadfast in what she knew was true, despite the opposition and hardships she faced along the way. Now, she was working to help others and support the rebirth and renewal process. She had made a huge difference and left her mark on the world.

                Years later, the Greek world was a different place than it had been before. The scars of the great flood were still visible, but the land was slowly healing. People had rebuilt, and the process of restoration continued. The Pythia was proud of the progress that had been made, and she was honored and revered for her vision and wisdom.

                The tale of the Pythia and her vision of a great crisis and its aftermath is a testament to the power of conviction and resilience in the face of adversity. The Pythia showed that she was willing to stand up for what she believed in and to face down opposition and hardship in order to share her vision with the people. Her actions helped the Greek world survive and rebound, and her wisdom and courage live on in the hearts and minds of all those who heard her words.

 

The Pythia is writing down her prophecies into a book, so that they can be preserved for posterity. (Image Credit: Digital artwork created by the Editor.)

 

Weekly Words of Wisdom

Contributed by Skylar Sonnenschein, Editorial Associate

                The Oracle at Delphi often spoke in riddles, but the underlying meaning remains: Trust in yourself and your intuition, even when the path ahead may appear uncertain.