Chap

ter 7

:

In Touch with the Gods: Apollo’s Oracle at Delphi

• Delphi – “womb” • Delphi – center of world – “omphalos” pp.227-228

What was the ritual surrounding the Oracle?How did the consultation with the Oracle work?pp. 229, pp. 234-235

Is Apollo a post-Mycenaean deity?

Ephebe—pp.230Why is Apollo associated with initiation?

What are similarities between Apollo and Dionysis? (both sons of Zeus).

Apollo’s Birth

*Son of Leto (and twin to Artemis) *Born on island of Delos *Hera tried to stop or delay birth *Other great shrine to Apollo was on Delos (which means “bright”)

The birth of Apollo and Diana by Marcantonio Franceschini, 1692-1709.]

Festivals and Ceremonies of Delphi (pp.233)• Pythian Games – Held every 4 years – Athletic competitions and musical, poetry & dance competitions (evolved from a music festival• Stepterion – Held every 8 years – Young boy reenacts the killing of Pytho and the flight to Tempe for atonement

Consulting the Oracle

KNOW THY SELF: Written above the doorway when entering to see the Pythoness. It can mean either; 'know who you are' or 'you know the answer'.Applicants pay fee, wash in Castalian spring, offer sheep or goat If accepted, await reply Pythia washes in Castalian spring Descent to Underground chamber Sits on tripod, goes into trance, speaks in tongues

• Priest translates reply into Greek poetry (dactylic hexameter) • Reply often obscure

Apollo’s Loves pp.237• Daphne– Turned into laurel tree • Cyparissus– Turned into a cypress tree

Apollo’s Loves, con’t.• Hyacinthus– Turned into a hyacinth flower • Coronis– Killed by Apollo out of jealousy

Apollo’s Son: Asclepius pp. 238-239

Son of Apollo and Coronis Saved from mother’s body Raised by Chiron, wise centaur God of medicine– Symbol, staff with snake (1 snake) Killed by Zeus when he gets too skilled in medicine