DH.058 Classical Kerna Fountain, Delphi

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Creator

Denis Baly

Creation Year

1978

Image ID

DH.058

Subcollection

DH: Delphi

Abstract

A fountain located northeast of the Sanctuary of Apollo, and fed by the Kerna Spring. This spring runs along the geological fault line of the same name, which crosses under the Temple of Apollo and produced the euphoric gas responsible for the oracle's "posessed" state.

Description

View of the Classical Kerna Fountain, somewhere Northeast of the Sanctuary of Apollo, between the Theater and Stadium. The fountain, identified by Pausanias as Kassotis, was fed by the waters of the Kerna spring, about 70 meters north of the sanctuary. Both an Archaic and a Classical fountain have been found here, but the brickwork indicates that this is most likely the Classical one. The fountain collected water in a reservoir, which was then directed down to the Temple of Apollo, where the Oracle drank the waters before each prophecy. The water stems ultimately from the Kerna Fault, one of two intersecting geological faults that cross underneath the temple and are believed to be the source of the euphoric gas mentioned by Plutarch, responsible for the "possessed" state experienced by the priestess.

Image Notes

Creation date unknown. Photograph processed July 1978. Notes written on the slide or index: Kerna II fountain.

Image Format

35 mm slide

Geographic Reference

Delfoi, Greece