Object ID
2016.4.7
Object Name
Photograph
Medium
Photo Paper
Object Entities
Sphinx, Photo (created by)
Object Description
This is a black and white photo depicting The Temple of Apollo in Delphi, Greece. The subject is the ruins of a Greek site. The ruins include an ampitheater and remnants of a temple with Doric columns, and structural elements. In the foreground on the right hand side, there is a large tree and other smaller plants. Behind the structures is a large mountain range. Along the edges of the photo is a white border. On the bottom of the photo is typed "24 Delphes Le Theatre et Temple D'Apollon Copyright by 'Photo Sphinx'". On the back there is a purple stamp that reads "Reproduction Interdite
The Anatyposis (?) Allowed (translated)
Copyright Reserved"
Origin
This is a photograph of The Temple of Apollo in Delphi, Greece.
Delphi was an important ancient Greek religious sanctuary sacred to the god Apollo. Located on Mt. Parnassus near the Gulf of Corinth, the sanctuary was home to the famous oracle of Apollo which gave cryptic predictions and guidance to both city-states and individuals. In addition, Delphi was also home to the panhellenic Pythian Games.
The site was first settled in Mycenaean times in the late Bronze Age (1500-1100 BCE) but took on its religious significance from around 800 BCE. The original name of the sanctuary was Pytho after the snake which Apollo was believed to have killed there. Votive offerings at the site from this period include small clay statues (the earliest), bronze figurines, and richly decorated bronze tripods.
Delphi was also considered the centre of the world, for in Greek mythology Zeus released two eagles, one to the east and another to the west, and Delphi was the point at which they met after encircling the world. This fact was represented by the omphalos (or navel), a dome-shaped stone which stood outside Apollo’s temple and which also marked the spot where Apollo killed the Python.
Rights and Reproduction
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Citation
Photograph, National Hellenic Museum, https://collections.nationalhellenicmuseum.org/Detail/objects/4960. Accessed 04/18/24.