lesson 5- the sanctuary and the sacred way at Delphi:

Question 1

where is the sacred way located?

Answer 1

On the south-east of the Delphi

Question 2

when was the sacred way constructed?

Answer 2

constructed in the final phase of the sanctuary’s history

Question 3

what does the sacred way do?

Answer 3

-unites a series of buildings, predominantly treasuries and stoas, and monuments that preceded the focal parts of the sanctuary

Question 4

what is the sacred way flanked by?

Answer 4

flanked by treasuries, stoas and monuments. These were set up by city states from all over the Greek world, reflecting the panhellenic nature of the site- they were also a way of showcasing and promoting their individual military victories, despite the panhellenic status of the sanctuary.

Question 5

what was the purpose of treasuries, monuments and stoas?

Answer 5

a way of showcasing and promoting city states individual military victories

Question 6

what did the victory monument of the Athenians commemorate?

Answer 6

may have commemorated Athens victory against the Persians at the battle of Marathon in 490 BC. Towards the end of the 5th century, however, when the Spartans had defeated the Athenians at the end of the peloponnesian wars, they set up a monument directly opposite the Athenian monument.

Question 7

when did the spartans defeat the Athenians and at which war?

Answer 7

end of the 5th century BC at the peloponnesian wars

Question 8

where were the Spartan victory monuments set up and when?

Answer 8

-set up directly opposite the victory monument of the Athenians after the spartans had defeated the athenians in the peloponnesian wars towards the end of the 5th century BC.

Question 9

what do the spartan victory monuments consist of?

Answer 9

-composed of a group of 38 statues in 2 rows, three times the size of the Athenian dedication. Spartan supremacy was hereby not only celebrated and credited to the god Apollo but also visually dominated the area and most significantly, the Athenian monument opposite.

Question 10

where was the serpent column set up?

Answer 10

-set up beside the altar in front of the temple of Apollo.

Question 11

what is the history behind the serpent column?

Answer 11

-During the 5th century , when mainland Greece was threatened and subsequently invaded by Xerxes’ persian army, a number of Greek city states joined forces to fight this common enemy. After the final land battle, the battle of Plataea in 479 Bc, when the Greeks finally won the war, this alliance set up a serpent column at the delphi, thanking Apollo for his guidance and their success.- -the names of the 31 greek cities that were involved in the fight against persia were inscribed on this monument, a display of unity and common worship. On the other hand, the monument also exposed and shamed the Greek poleis that had not joined in the resistance against the persians, many of whom were part of the Amphiktyonic league.

Question 12

how many names of greek cities are displayed on the serpent column?

Answer 12

31

Question 13

how tall is the serpent column?

Answer 13

9 Meters tall

Question 14

what did the serpent column consist of?

Answer 14

-consisted of three bronze serpents coiled together into a column, with a golden tripod on top- the serpent’s recall pytho, whom Apollo slew and the tripod corresponds with the tripod the pythia sat on.

Question 15

where was the siphnian treasury located?

Answer 15

-located on the left side of the pathway as one walked up towards the temple- -the location of the treasury directly next to the sacred way was an excellent way to promote the aegean island

Question 16

what was the siphnian treasury made of and what was it decorated with?

Answer 16

-made entirely out of marble and was decorated with elaborate sculptures and caryatids on the facade.

Question 17

where was the Athenian treasury located and how was this beneficial?

Answer 17

-located at the sharp turning of the sacred way, where worshippers likely passed or perhaps took a rest before the next ascent
-a stoa was located in front of it which was set up by the Athenians, which was on the plateau directly below the temple of Apollo. This prime location meant that worshippers waiting to consult the oracle would have waited here for their turn- this practical building was another way for Athenian self-promotion.

Question 18

how would the Athenian treasury have stood out?

Answer 18

it featured marble and heavily sculpted exterior which would have stood out in the sanctuary

Question 19

how many sections is the sanctuary at delphi separated into?

Answer 19

-The sanctuary at Delphi is separated in two sections. Each is marked off from the surrounding space by a peribolos wall
-the lower part contains a 4th century temple to Athena pronoia, Athena as goddess of foresight, a circular building whose purpose is still unknown, two treasuries, a 6th century of Athena and altars.

Question 20

what did the gymnasium consist of?

Answer 20

consisted of a running track, an outdoor running track, roman baths, a washing pool and a palaestra, a building used primarily for combat sports. This was one of the first architecturally complex gymnasiums built in the Greek world.

Question 21

what is the myth surrounding the location of the sanctuary?

Answer 21

there was a myth associated with the location of this sanctuary- according to a myth, Zeus sent two eagles, one to the east and one to the west and they met each other above the delphi. Delphi therefore contained an omphalos, the navel of the world and delphi was believed to be the centre of the world.