I have a couple of questions on the Oracle of Delphi...?

Question

*Where is it. (I know it is in greece, where exactly in greece)
*When was it built (if destoryed, how many times and if it was rebuilt was it different)
*How did it help or make use to the greeks
*Is there any statues, if so what are they
*Anything else you know about the oracle of delphi.

THANKS!!

Answer 1

http://www.crystalinks.com/delphi.html
Delphi - Oracle of Delphi - Crystalinks

Answer 2

This is exactly where it is 38 28’ 53.28 N and 22 29’ 18.65 E. About a little over half a km high. It was built around the 8th century bc and 100 ad had lost all its influence. It was destroyed by earthquake in the 5th century and rebuilt. In Greek mythology it is the center if the world. The myth tells how Zeus let fly two eagles and after they went around the earth the both landed in Delphi. They called it the Omphalos (belly button) of earth. It became famous for its "predictions" The Oracle per se was probably of no consequence. She was under the influence of some drug probably a naturally produced gas from volcanic activity. The oracle room is built above a fissure. She spoke incoherently and it was up to the priest hood to interpret her vocalizations. It was a priesthood very well versed in the politics of the times. It was more a political think tank giving advise. A lot of times The "oracle" would give statements that were a win win situation for the temple of Apollo( the god of soothsayers among other things). " if you go to place X a king will die" It did not specify which king. It could be you or the other guy. Delphi also became the banking center of the world. Most every "state" kept its treasure in Delphi. It also has a beautiful ancient theater. There is in the museum one of the worlds masterpieces of sculpture. The Charioteer. A gift from a grateful state.

Answer 3

The sanctuary Apollo in Delphi is found in central Greece, between the cities Theva and Amfissa (about 2 hour drive from Athens). It is located on the slopes of the mountain Parnassos (where there is a very good ski centre, by the way).
The temple of Apollo was built in archaic years (around the 6th century BC), but it was destroyed (burnt in 548 and then again in the 4th century) and rebuilt in late classical years and early hellenistic(5th-4th century BC). The result of this is that although the plan of the building is archaic, because it kept being rebuilt on the archaic foundations, the morphological features and details are late classical.
The sanctuary, because of the wealth it accumulated, because of the oracle, flourished, and comprised, apart from the temple, small temple-shaped buildings called Thesauroi and dedicated to the sanctuary by each city, in order to keep in there the treasures (thesauroi) dedicated by the city to Apollo. The sanctuary also comprises a theatre, a stadium (where took place athletic games in honor of Apollo, called Pythia), and a secondary sanctuary, all preserved in ruins but remarkably well. The archaeological site is in the Unesco World Heritage List. In the museum there are some magnificent statues, like the charriot driver (Eniohos) and the Sphinx.
Cities and private individuals asked the oracle (Pythia) about personal or political issues (their fate in war, etc), and Pythia, after drinking sacred water from the Castallia fountain, gave ambiguously articulated answers, so that either way she was proven right at the end.
The archaeological site was excavated and partially restored by the french school of archaeology in the early 20th century, and it is one of the most important and spectacular sites in Greece, also because of the magnificent landscape.
By the way, if you are planning to visit, do go to the byzantine monastery of Hosios Lukas nearby, also a World Heritage Site and wonderful monument.

Answer 4

Delphi is perhaps best-known for the oracle at the sanctuary that became dedicated to Apollo during the classical period. With origins in prehistoric times and the worship of Gaia, in the last quarter of the 8th century BC there is a steady increase of artifacts found at the settlement site in Delphi. Pottery and bronze work as well as tripod dedications continue in a steady stream, in comparison to Olympia. Neither the range of objects nor the presence of prestigious dedications proves that Delphi was a focus of attention for worshipers of a wide range, but the strong representation of high value goods are found in no other mainland sanctuary, certainly encourages that view.

For more information click on the next adress

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delphi

Answer 5

My, my, what else can anyone add to SSR and cpinatsi's excellent brief expositions. Bravo to both. I can only say that the location is one of breath-taking natural beauty, appropriately chosen by the Gods.