The Greeks, as well as many other cultures considered the Oracle at Delphi to be THE oracle. There were actually other want-to-bes, but Delphi had the whole package. A king wanting to know the true oracle sent out a message to a number of oracles at once asking, "What am I doing?" The oracle at Delphi replied with the correct answer of, "mixing the lamb and the pig", which was correct as he was making a stew with his own hands. Unusual because kings did not cook, nor was it acceptable practice to mix the two meats. There are many uncanny stories about the insights that the oracle had and prudent but cripted advice that she dispensed. It enjoyed prominence for a long time and I have several blogs to share on this subject. The ancient temple site is on the side of a fairly steep mountain and looks down over a valley of olive trees leading down to the deep harbor port of Itea, an absolutely majestic site. Delphi was considered the sacred “navel” of the world, i.e. center of the universe. The Airhart kids are touching a replica of the “navel” on the site near the temple of Apollo. This is an interesting artifact in that it’s shape is almost shadowless, tribute to Apollo, the sun god. I am also thinking that they had some messed up umbilical cord practices.
A reconstruction of the site of Delphi in it’s prime. A bustling religious sanctuary that also became a mecca for finances because, where better to store your treasury than under the watchful eye of the oracle. The treasuries are dotted up and down the mountain, the largest is the Athenian and one we thought was interesting the Sicilian. It turns out that the island of Sicily at the toe of the Italian boot was populated by Greeks fleeing a Persian invasion.