Delphi : A History of the Center of the Ancient World

The oracle and sanctuary of the Greek god Apollo at Delphi were known as the “omphalos”—the “center” or “navel”—of the ancient world for more than 1000 years. Individuals, city leaders, and kings came from all over the Mediterranean and beyond to consult Delphi's oracular priestess; to set up monuments to the gods in gold, ivory, bronze, marble, and stone; and to take part in athletic and musical competitions. This book provides the first comprehensive narrative history of this extraordinary sanctuary and city, from its founding to its modern rediscovery, to show more clearly than ever before why Delphi was one of the most important places in the ancient world for so long. In this richly illustrated account, Michael Scott covers the whole history and nature of Delphi, from the literary and archaeological evidence surrounding the site, to its rise as a center of worship with a wide variety of religious practices, to the constant appeal of the oracle despite her cryptic prophecies. He describes how Delphi became a contested sacred site for Greeks and Romans and a storehouse for the treasures of rival city-states and foreign kings. He also examines the eventual decline of the site and how its meaning and importance have continued to be reshaped right up to the present. Finally, for the modern visitor to Delphi, he includes a brief guide that highlights key things to see and little-known treasures. A unique window into the center of the ancient world, Delphi will appeal to general readers, tourists, students, and specialists. The Oracle And Sanctuary Of The Greek God Apollo At Delphi Were Known As The Omphalos--the Center Or Navel - Of The Ancient World For More Than 1000 Years. Individuals, City Leaders, And Kings Came From All Over The Mediterranean And Beyond To Consult Delphi's Oracular Priestess; To Set Up Monuments To The Gods In Gold, Ivory, Bronze, Marble, And Stone; And To Take Part In Athletic And Musical Competitions. This Book Provides The First Comprehensive Narrative History Of This Extraordinary Sanctuary And City, From Its Founding To Its Modern Rediscovery, To Show More Clearly Than Ever Before Why Delphi Was One Of The Most Important Places In The Ancient World For So Long. In This Richly Illustrated Account, Michael Scott Covers The Whole History And Nature Of Delphi, From The Literary And Archaeological Evidence Surrounding The Site, To Its Rise As A Center Of Worship With A Wide Variety Of Religious Practices, To The Constant Appeal Of The Oracle Despite Her Cryptic Prophecies. He Describes How Delphi Became A Contested Sacred Site For Greeks And Romans And A Storehouse For The Treasures Of Rival City-states And Foreign Kings. He Also Examines The Eventual Decline Of The Site And How Its Meaning And Importance Have Continued To Be Reshaped Right Up To The Present. Finally, For The Modern Visitor To Delphi, He Includes A Brief Guide That Highlights Key Things To See And Little-known Treasures. A Unique Window Into The Center Of The Ancient World, This Book Will Appeal To General Readers, Tourists, Students, And Specialists. Prologue: Why Delphi? -- Part I: Some Are Born Great -- Oracle -- Beginnings -- Transformation -- Rebirth -- Part Ii: Some Achieve Greatness -- Fire -- Domination -- Renewal -- Transition -- Part Iii: Some Gave Greatness Thrust Upon Them -- A New World -- Renaissance -- Final Glory? -- The Journey Continues -- Epilogue: A Brief Tour Of The Delphi Site And Museum. Michael Scott. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 375-399) And Index. "The oracle and sanctuary of the Greek god Apollo at Delphi were known as the "omphalos"--The "center" or "navel"--of the ancient world for more than 1000 years. Individuals, city leaders, and kings came from all over the Mediterranean and beyond to consult Delphi's oracular priestess; to set up monuments to the gods in gold, ivory, bronze, marble, and stone; and to take part in athletic and musical competitions. This book provides the first comprehensive narrative history of this extraordinary sanctuary and city, from its founding to its modern rediscovery, to show more clearly than ever before why Delphi was one of the most important places in the ancient world for so long. In this richly illustrated account, Michael Scott covers the whole history and nature of Delphi, from the literary and archaeological evidence surrounding the site, to its rise as a center of worship with a wide variety of religious practices, to the constant appeal of the oracle despite her cryptic prophecies. He describes how Delphi became a contested sacred site for Greeks and Romans and a storehouse for the treasures of rival city-states and foreign kings. He also examines the eventual decline of the site and how its meaning and importance have continued to be reshaped right up to the present. Finally, for the modern visitor to Delphi, he includes a brief guide that highlights key things to see and little-known treasures. A unique window into the center of the ancient world, this book will appeal to general readers, tourists, students, and specialists."--Rabat de la jaquette A comprehensive narrative history of the ancient world's center, from its founding to its modern rediscoveryThe oracle and sanctuary of the Greek god Apollo at Delphi were known as the'omphalos'—the'center'or'navel'—of the ancient world for more than 1,000 years. Individuals, city leaders, and kings came from all over the Mediterranean and beyond to consult Delphi's oracular priestess; to set up monuments to the gods; and to take part in competitions.In this richly illustrated account, Michael Scott covers the history and nature of Delphi, from the literary and archaeological evidence surrounding the site, to its rise as a center of worship, to the constant appeal of the oracle despite her cryptic prophecies. He describes how Delphi became a contested sacred site for Greeks and Romans and a storehouse for the treasures of rival city-states and foreign kings. He also examines the eventual decline of the site and how its meaning and importance have continued to be reshaped.A unique window into the center of the ancient world, Delphi will appeal to general readers, tourists, students, and specialists. Provides a narrative history of this sanctuary and city, from its founding to its modern rediscovery, to show more clearly than ever before why Delphi was one of the most important places in the ancient world for so long. Scott covers the whole history and nature of Delphi, from the literary and archaeological evidence surrounding the site, to its rise as a center of worship with a wide variety of religious practices, to the constant appeal of the oracle despite her cryptic prophecies. He describes how Delphi became a contested sacred site for Greeks and Romans and a storehouse for the treasures of rival city-states and foreign kings. He also examines the eventual decline of the site and how its meaning and importance have continued to be reshaped right up to the present. Finally, for the modern visitor to Delphi, he includes a brief guide that highlights key things to see and little-known treasures. --From publisher description