What Is The Temple Of Apollo?
The Temple of Apollo is found among the ruins that are interspersed on the Southern slopes of Parnassos Mountain in Delphi, Greece. Apollo was the god of music, harmony and light and the temple occupies the most important and prominent position in the Delphic Sanctuary.
The structure with the partially restored colonnade that is visible today dates to the 4th century BC. It is said to be the third temple built at the same place. It was here that Apollo spoke in prophesy and riddles (through the voice of the Pythia) the Delphic Oracle, that shaped the fate of the ancient world.
History
This imposing temple of the Doric order’s existence was woven through the stormy history of the site and endured numerous incarnations before it settled to the ruinous state, we find it in today.
The history of the temple was recorded by Pausanias in his Description of Greece of the 2nd century AD and there are various stories:
- They say the most ancient temple of Apollo was made of laurel, the branches of which were brought from the laurel in Tempe. The Delphians say that the second temple was made by bees from beeswax and feathers, and that it was sent to the Hyperboreans by Apollo.
- Another story states that the temple was set up by a Delphian, whose name was Pteras, and so the temple received its name from the builder.
- The third temple was made of bronze which for this time and age could be true.
- The fourth temple was made by Trophonius and Agamedes by stone. It was burnt down in the first year of the fifty-eighth Olympiad (548/47).
From Herodotos’ Histories it is stated that the Alkmaeonids accepted a contract from the Amphityons to build the temple at Delphi.
Since they were quite wealthy and distinguished in their lineage, the temple they constructed turned out more beautiful in all respects than the original plan required. It was a six by fifteen column peristyle and completed in 511 BC. The east pediment portrayed Apollo’s arrival at Delphi on his four-horse chariot and the west pediment showed the battle between gods and giants. This temple was destroyed during the strong earthquake of 373 BC.
The ruins of Pausanias’ the modern temple is what we see today. Established in 330 BC it was also of Doric order, on the same footprint as its predecessor, and made of marble-coated porous stone. Its roof and pedimented decorations, sculpted by the Athenian artists Praxias and Androsthenes, were made of Parian marble. The east pediment was decorated by the figure of Apollo, flanked by his mother Leto, his sister Artemis, and the Muses. The west pediment portrayed the god Dionysos among his female votaries, the Thyiades.
The temple survived until AD 390, when the Roman emperor Theodosius I silenced the oracle by destroying the temple and most of the statues and works of art in the name of Christianity.
Archaeological Remains
The Temple of Apollo is a short distance from the entrance to the site but there is lots to explore and see on the way up.
You will find all kinds of treasures, or rather the remains of them that line the Sacred Way to the temple. It is said that in ancient times, visitors from the various Greek and non-Greek city states and islands brought tributes to Apollo through the Oracle. They built small temples, where their offerings like ritual statues, gold and silver, wine, olive oil, and the spoils of war, were stored during rituals and left behind as gifts.
The most impressive standing building is the Treasury of the Athenians, a small Doric building of colourful Parian marble. Archaeologists were able to re-erect the building where it originally stood in 1906 due to the amount of marble that was found during the excavations of the site. Though the statues and friezes are reproductions, the originals can be seen in the adjacent museum.
Above the Temple of Apollo, is the Ancient Theatre of Delphi. Musical events that included singing and instrumental competitions, were held here as part of the Pythian Games honouring Apollo as well as other religious festivals. The original theatre was built in the fourth century BC and was probably rebuilt in its current form during the second century BC
Still higher up you will find The Ancient Stadium of Delphi, which is considered the best-preserved monument of its kind in the world. It was here that athletes first competed for the honour of Apollo’s crown of laurel leaves. The original dates from the 5th century B.C., but the stadium, as it now exists, was probably expanded by the Romans.
Interest For Today
The temple’s foundations survive today along with several Doric columns made of porous stone and limestone which is soft material, along with porous stone. This unfortunately allowed the ruins of the temple to decay at a faster rate than some of the other ruins on the Southern slopes of the mountain. Little is known about the temple’s interior arrangement.
Location
The Temple of Apollo is in Delphi, Greece at coordinates 38°28′56″N 22°30′04″E. It is in the province of Fokida and lies between the towns of Amfissa and Arachova.
Address: Delphi 330 54, Greece.
It is midway up the southwestern slopes of Mt. Parnassus. Above it you will find the amphitheatre, like the temple, tucked into the natural curve formed by the mountains. Further up, the large ancient stadium was the site of the Pythian Games, which was, in their day, bigger and more important than the ancient Olympics.
Tourist Information
The site is open Monday to Sunday from 8:30 AM to 7 PM, except Christmas, December 26, New Year’s Day, and on Greek religious holidays.
In 2020 tickets to the site and the museum is 12 euros with reduced rates available for Greek and EU seniors and students from all over the world. Identification is needed.
Admission is free on the first Sunday of every month from November 1 to March 31.
Telephone: +30 2265 082312
