Administrative and Religious Center of Greece
Delphi, known as the "Navel of the Earth" and the "Common Hearth of all the Greeks," was the most sacred site in Ancient Greece. According to antiquities curator B. Pentzatos and supervisor M. Sarla, Delphi holds significant historical and cultural value. Apollo came to Delphi alongside the Doric tribes, and as a patriarchal god, he supplanted the matriarchal deities that were previously worshipped there.
Archaeological excavations indicate that the Mycenaeans settled in this area, and the Oracle of Gaia thrived there until around 1100 B.C. It is from this point that the "Descend of the Dorians" began, shaking the foundations of Greece and culminating in Apollo's conquest of Delphi.
The myth surrounding Apollo aligns with archaeological findings and can be summarized as follows: Apollo, the son of Zeus and Leto, is a celestial god who kills Python, a chthonic deity and child of Gaia. However, due to his blood relationship with Zeus and Zeus's connection to Gaia, Apollo does not celebrate his victory. Instead, he seeks purification and leaves the Oracle, becoming a slave in Thessaly for seven years. He eventually returns to Delphi as a dominant god. Despite this, every year for three months, he travels to the Hyperborean lands for purification, leaving Dionysus in his place.
- The constellation of Hydra - Image 05
The constellation of Crater (Dionysus) is connected to the constellation of Corvus (Apollo) through the constellation of Hydra (above image 05); all three constellations are visible from Greece. Part of Hydra can be seen in the picture, extending behind the Parthenon toward the zodiac sign of Cancer. Hydra has a significant length, starting from Cancer, crossing through Leo, and reaching Virgo. It remains visible in the sky during the months of July, August, and September, signifying the entire summer season.
The Corvus (crow) was a bird dedicated to the worship of Apollo. The god sent Corvus to spy on the nymph Aegle, who, due to her beauty, was nicknamed Koronida (crow). Aegle was unfaithful, fearing that Apollo, with whom she had given birth to Asclepius, would abandon her. Consequently, the clergy established a relationship between the constellations of Hydra and Corvus. Later, with the emergence of Dionysus, a connection was also formed among the constellations of Hydra, Corvus, and Crater. Aegle eventually became one of the Nymphs of Dionysus.
This entire narrative demonstrates the link between the celestial dome and the archaeological site of Delphi through astrological and astronomical processes, showcasing the intellectual level of the clergy.
Dionysus served as the bridge between the Chthonic gods and Apollo, who interpreted the orders from the celestial gods, using Hermes as the messenger. This relationship between Apollo and Dionysus symbolizes aspects of "man" as thought (Apollo) and passion (Dionysus), which can either converge or diverge depending on societal choices. Thus, the representation of Dionysus can shift from appealing to repulsive based on these choices.
Temple of Apollo
The relationship between Dionysus and Apollo is depicted in the pediments of a temple built in the 4th century B.C., which was completed in 330 B.C. This building was the sixth consecutive temple constructed to replace an earlier archaic version that had been destroyed by earthquakes in 373 B.C. Pausanias notes that the eastern pediment featured the arrival of Apollo in Delphi, a scene also represented in the previous temple that was destroyed. On the western pediment, Dionysus was shown alongside the Maenads. The architects of the temple were Spintharus of Corinth, with later restorations overseen by Xenodorus. The sculptures were crafted by the artists Praxias and Androsthenes.
- Image III
The temple exhibits a technically illogical deviation to the North. However, this can be explained by the eastern pediment of the temple, which depicts the region of the Hyperborean people, highlighting their connection to Apollo and the Cimmerian people (from present-day Ukraine). This deviation from the original orientation of the temple is believed to have occurred between 545 and 500 B.C. during the construction of the fifth temple by the Alcmaeonidae family (above image III). This new temple retained the archaic dimensions of 6x15, with the numeric code K. (6) (1) (5) (6) (3)—which can be interpreted using Pythagorean principles:
(6) = HARMONIOUS TEMPLE
(1) = GOD - APOLLO - AXIS - SUN
(5) = LIGHT
(6) = TRIODITIS - HECATEBELETES
(3) = LOXEAS
On the same site as Delphi, there is the temple of another apocalyptic god, Asclepius, located a short distance from the temple of Apollo. This god is known for restoring health to humanity and has the ability to raise the dead. Thus, only the apocalyptic gods—Apollo, Dionysus, and Asclepius—were celebrated at Delphi, replacing the earlier chthonic matriarchal deities. Additionally, Delphi is referenced in the Iliad as the oracle of Peitho.
These three gods also form a foundational basis for Christian worship, as Jesus embodies their core attributes. Like Apollo (the Sun) and Dionysus, Jesus is born, dies, and is reborn. He shares connections to the celestial realm, similar to Apollo, and to the Chthonic realm, like Dionysus. Furthermore, he resurrects the dead, echoing the powers of Asclepius.
Since around 1100 B.C., these new gods logically evolved the Greek religious practices, introducing the notion of future rebirth through reincarnation and thereby fostering the acceptance of new worship without religious wars. In earlier times, the deceased would face north with their heads turned west (as seen in the Necromanteion). In contrast, they now face east (toward Delos), awaiting rebirth like the Sun, with the assistance of Apollo, Dionysus, and Asclepius.
- Image XVIII
In the upper part of the picture titled "Route of the Soul," we see the relationship between Apollo and Dionysus. The celestial gods' commands are conveyed to Apollo, who then relays them to Dionysus, and finally, Dionysus passes them on to the chthonic gods. Guided by Hermes, the soul travels westward to the Necromanteion for judgment. This human desire to extend life or to be reborn is still relevant today. Modern society seeks to combat aging and death with the technological means available. However, this desire is deeply rooted in ancient civilization. Over time, the concept of reincarnation evolved into resurrection during the Christian era. Without this historical context, it is uncertain whether contemporary society would pursue experiments aimed at extending human life (rebirth).
Issues that we now consider self-explanatory have undergone significant evolution over time. As the cult evolved, Delphi replaced the Chthonic gods with apocalyptic ones, but it did not abolish them; instead, the oracle transformed into a Geo-Solar center. Later, during Emperor Augustus's reign and his Apollonian religious agenda, the oracle of Delphi became a Solar center.
