Preview
Creation Year
May 1905
Image ID
W.068
Alternate Identifier
B22.068
Subcollection
W: Attica, Crete, Santorini
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, with the Pillar of Prusias II in the back left. 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.
References
Barber, Annabel, Charles Freeman, and Nigel McGilchrist, eds. Greece: The Mainland. 7th ed. 455. London, NY: Blue Guides Ltd., Somerset Books, 2007
Image Notes
Photograph created August 9th, 1958. Processing date unknown. Formerly catalogued as B22.068. Notes written on the slide or index: Delphi - Temple of Apollo.
Image Format
35 mm slide
Geographic Reference
Delphi, Greece
Rights Statement
