|

|

|

|

|

|

|

V-Collections - Ancient Hellenic Treasures

Delphi

Delphi is both a unique archaeological site a modern town in Greece on the south-western spur of Mount Parnassus in the valley of Phocis. In myths dating to the classical period of Ancient Greece (510-323 BC), the site of Delphi was believed to be determined by Zeus when he sought to find the centre of his "Grandmother Earth" (Gaia). He sent two eagles flying from the eastern and western extremities, and the path of the eagles crossed over Delphi where the omphalos, or navel of Gaia was found.
Earlier myths include traditions that Pythia, or the Delphic oracle, already was the site of an important oracle in the pre-classical Greek world (as early as 1400 BC) and, rededicated, served as the major site during classical times for the worship of the god Apollo after he slew Python, "a dragon" who lived there and protected the navel of the Earth. "Python" (derived from the verb pythein, "to rot") is claimed by some to be the original name of the site in recognition of Python which Apollo defeated. Pythia, was the priestess serving as the oracle, was chosen from their ranks by a group of priestesses who officiated at the temple.
Apollo's sacred precinct in Delphi was a Pan-Hellenic sanctuary, where every four years, starting in 586 BC [5] athletes from all over the Greek world competed in the Pythian Games, one of the four Pan-Hellenic games, precursors of the Modern Olympics. The victors at Delphi were presented with a laurel crown which was ceremonially cut from an olive tree by a boy who re-enacted the slaying of the Python. Delphi was set apart from the other games sites because it hosted the musical competitions.
These Pythian Games rank second among the four laurel crown stephanitic” games chronologically and based on importance. These games, though, were different from the games at Olympia in that they were not of such vast importance to the city of Delphi as the games at Olympia were to the area surrounding Olympia. Delphi would have been a renowned city whether or not it hosted these games; it had other attractions that led to it being labelled the "omphalos" (navel) of the earth, in other words, the center of the world.
In the inner Hestia ("hearth") of the Temple of Apollo, an eternal flame burned. After the battle of Plataea, the Greek cities extinguished their fires and brought new fire from the hearth of Greece, at Delphi; in the foundation stories of several Greek colonies, the founding colonists were first dedicated at Delphi.

Experience the glory of Delphi, while you enjoy the intellectual challenge of the cleVer Cube, the finest quality rotational puzzle.