Delphi

          Delphi Museum was so interesting because I was able to make some interesting connections and insights about Greek culture throughout history. 

           It was fascinating to see the parallel between the different movements throughout the century. We noticed the transition in art in the sculptures from more idealistic and smiling faces to realistic and unemotional faces. This mirrors the philosophical movement that Dr. Shultz mentioned that taught temperance and control. In Plato's Republic, we have discussed the virtues; wisdom, courage, temperance, and justice. The emphasis of controlled emotion within the sculptures shows the Greek ideal of mastery of certain sorts of pleasures and appetites. 

           An additional parallel that the tour guide pointed out was between the theatre and politics. Play writers were able to express their creativity through dramatic comedies and tragedies. Sometimes they conveyed important themes like justice in Aeschylus' Oresteia. New plays were showcased in the theatre of Dionysus and competed for top prizes. The protagonist of each performance reflected the freedom of a democratic voter during this time. He is allowed to make choices, but has to deal with his decisions and the gods help guide him throughout the process. Voters, like the main character, especially in Athens, exercise a lot of freedom in the political system. 

           Another interesting motif I discovered was the universal depiction of snakes being evil and harmful. Apollo had to kill the Phython that protected the center of the earth in Delphi so that he could build his sanctuary there. This is also symbolic of the new worship of the Olympian gods over the old deities such as mother earth. At this sanctuary, the archaeologists included artifacts from the byzantine era that showed a cross triumphantly on top of a snake. In the bible, the snake is depicted as a deceptive creature that tricks Adam and Eve into eating from the Tree of Knowledge. 

           About the site itself, I found the discovery of the toxic gases that rose from the ground underneath the temple itself making the priestesses high riveting . Even the water that they drank was contaminated with poison! They would fast for days before they entered the temple for long hours in order to prepare themselves, but you would think that would give them a hunch that something weird was going on within the temple. Our tour guide said that one time a man forced one of the woman to go in and tell him his prophecy but she had not yet fasted so she passed away. Greek worship was really intense and their beliefs were so strong that they would sacrifice their own children (Agamemnon sacrificing Iphegenia). So maybe it isn't so crazy that they would really think the the god of prophesy, Apollo, was really speaking through them. 

           The amount of influence that these women had over the city was also quite amazing. Usually women maintained the house and raised the children. There place was in the home and away from public affairs and decisions. However, the priestesses of Apollo could control the choices the men made by their prophesies. It reminds me of the movie, "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," when the mother explains that a man is the head and the women is the neck that can turn the head any way she wants.

The sanctuary of Apollo was an interesting panhellenic site where Greek city states would demonstrate their wealth and influence. Athens, for example, had an elaborate treasury house that depicted their prestige and honor. After any astounding victory they would make sacrifices to the gods and bring trophies to showcase in their treasury. It's like the Baylor Panhellenic building at Baylor where every sorority has their own room that is decorated in beautiful pictures of past classes, achievement plaques, and important artifacts. 

           Another way the Greeks showed off their superiority over another was in the Pythian Games. The Olympic Games are held in such high regard that we sometimes forget about the many other athletic events that occurred. In modern day, no one every keeps up with the world championships in track and field or the national championship, but when the Olympics come around everyone is all on the track bandwagon. The Pythian Games were a precursor to the Olympics. The victors were presented with a laurel crown cut from a tree symbolical representing the slaying of the Python. What made these games different was that it hosted musical competitions because Apollo was also the god of music. 

           Not only do these games unite the several Greek city states, but so do their common religion and language. Dr. Henry pointed out that whenever another Greek nation conquered another they would still respect the temples that were already establish. Many say that is why the Greeks were punished after the Trojan war because they looted the temple of Apollo.