Study tour notes for Delphi part two
Jul. 29th, 2012 04:47 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
hawkwing_lbDelphi lies in Phokis, north across the Gulf of Corinth from the Peleponnese. From the Peloponnese it was easily accessible by sea, and from the east - Boeotia, Attica, Chalkis, Eretria - by road. It lies near the north-south route from the Peleponnese to Thessaly. It rises from the slopes of Mt Parnassus, between the cliffs. The one on the east, ancient Hyampeia, where in antiquity people who had committed sacrilege are alleged to have been thrown from the peak.
The Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia
The Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia is the second major sacred area at Delphi. It lies southeast of the temenos of Apollo, down the slops of the hill, in the area known as Marmaria ("Marbles"). Here a terrace measuring 150m by 40m housed altars, temples, treasuries, and a tholos. Its construction postdates the first stages of cult activity on the site of the temenos of Apollo, with the earliest altar dating to the 7th century CE, though some Mycenaean figurines with evidence of burning and burnt bone were found nearby, possibly indicating early cult activity.
The Archaic temple of Athena is the largest here. Built of local porous limestone or tufa, it dates to the 6th century, using column capitals (Doric) from a 7th C predecessor. A series of altars were ranged alongside it, instead of as is more usual, in front. One of the altars is to Athena, Hygieia and Eileithyia (childbirth). There are two treasuries, one which dates to the 6th century, dedicated by the inhabitants of Massilia (today Marseilles) to celebrate a victory over the Etruscans; the other, built in the early part of the 5th century, remains anonymous. Among the offerings in front of the treasuries was a trophy erected for the Gree victory over the Persians, which Herodotos says was dedicated here. A second temple was built in the 4th century, variously identified as to Athena or to Artemis.
The circular structure of the Tholos is also 4th century in date. It was designed by the architect Theodoros of Phokaia. In shape it resembles the tholos/thymele at Epidauros, and its function is similarly contested.
This sanctuary was the first visible to a visitor approaching Delphi, and takes its name from its aspect, Athena Pronaia, "Athena in front of the sacred place."
Gymnasium
Nearby, in the 4th century, was built a gymnasium, which was renovated in the Roman period. It consisted of running tracks, one covered (xystos) for bad weather training; a palaistra for exercising and wrestling, with rooms on its west and south sides around a peristyle court. Here also was a circular bath with cold water. One of the columns found here in the late 19th century had been vandalised by the poet Lord Byron on his visit: he'd scratched his name into the stone.
The Kastalian Spring
Noted by Pausanias, this is the spring is where Apollo allegedly planted a Bay tree. The standing remains are Hellenistic, with statue base for Ge (Gaia, mother earth)and niches for other votives.
Soon, I get to the temenos of Apollo. Soon.
The Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia
The Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia is the second major sacred area at Delphi. It lies southeast of the temenos of Apollo, down the slops of the hill, in the area known as Marmaria ("Marbles"). Here a terrace measuring 150m by 40m housed altars, temples, treasuries, and a tholos. Its construction postdates the first stages of cult activity on the site of the temenos of Apollo, with the earliest altar dating to the 7th century CE, though some Mycenaean figurines with evidence of burning and burnt bone were found nearby, possibly indicating early cult activity.
The Archaic temple of Athena is the largest here. Built of local porous limestone or tufa, it dates to the 6th century, using column capitals (Doric) from a 7th C predecessor. A series of altars were ranged alongside it, instead of as is more usual, in front. One of the altars is to Athena, Hygieia and Eileithyia (childbirth). There are two treasuries, one which dates to the 6th century, dedicated by the inhabitants of Massilia (today Marseilles) to celebrate a victory over the Etruscans; the other, built in the early part of the 5th century, remains anonymous. Among the offerings in front of the treasuries was a trophy erected for the Gree victory over the Persians, which Herodotos says was dedicated here. A second temple was built in the 4th century, variously identified as to Athena or to Artemis.
The circular structure of the Tholos is also 4th century in date. It was designed by the architect Theodoros of Phokaia. In shape it resembles the tholos/thymele at Epidauros, and its function is similarly contested.
This sanctuary was the first visible to a visitor approaching Delphi, and takes its name from its aspect, Athena Pronaia, "Athena in front of the sacred place."
Gymnasium
Nearby, in the 4th century, was built a gymnasium, which was renovated in the Roman period. It consisted of running tracks, one covered (xystos) for bad weather training; a palaistra for exercising and wrestling, with rooms on its west and south sides around a peristyle court. Here also was a circular bath with cold water. One of the columns found here in the late 19th century had been vandalised by the poet Lord Byron on his visit: he'd scratched his name into the stone.
The Kastalian Spring
Noted by Pausanias, this is the spring is where Apollo allegedly planted a Bay tree. The standing remains are Hellenistic, with statue base for Ge (Gaia, mother earth)and niches for other votives.
Soon, I get to the temenos of Apollo. Soon.
