DH.047 Temple of Apollo from Above

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Creator

Denis Baly

Creation Year

1978

Image ID

DH.047

Subcollection

DH: Delphi

Abstract

The main attraction of Delphi and seat of the Delphic Oracle, the Temple of Apollo was an imposing and magnificent structure overlooking the rest of the Sanctuary. From above we can see the foundations of the temple, revealing some of the internal structure.

Description

A view of the Temple of Apollo from the West, overlooking the Monument of Krateros. The temple was the seat of the Delphic Oracle and center of cult worship. Situated near the top of the Sanctuary, it overlooks and imposes down over the Sacred Way and the numerous treasuries and dedications to Apollo. The first temple here dates from the 7th century BCE, and after it burned down, the Alcmaeonids, a wealthy Athenian family in exile, replaced and expanded it around 510. The Alcmaeonid temple, also known as the Archaic temple, was destroyed along with so much of Delphi in the earthquake of 373, after which the temple seen here was constructed from 366-329. The large columns, made from poros stone, were originally covered with shining marble stucco, and the temple's foundation leaves an exposed gap in the center where the adyton, the seat of the oracle, was located. In this view, we can see in the foundation the division between the pronaos, where the columns have been re-erected, and the cella, or inner chamber of the temple.

Image Notes

Creation date unknown. Photograph processed July 1978. Notes written on the slide or index: Temple of Apollo - fr. Above, wide angle.

Image Format

35 mm slide

Geographic Reference

Delfoi, Greece