The Sanctuary of Delphi: History and functions.
Joseph Sgubbi
Religious activity in Delphi is archaeologically documented as early as 1400 BC
Not long after the activity is fully functional, even oracular, in fact, this oracle is consulted by Jason on the eve of the adventure Argonautica (Apollonius Rhodius 1.414) was asked by Athamas (Carli 1785 p. 49), and so did Agamemnon before departing for the Trojan War. Pure
this period are the gifts offered to the shrine to the advice received, we know from Strabo (cited above) where descrivendo le ricchezze del santuario, fa presente che quelle del periodo Omerico non sono più esistenti. La millenaria attività oracolare, ben attiva anche in epoca romana, termina definitivamente nel 394 quando Teodosio il Grande, con un decreto, proibisce qualsiasi culto pagano.
Nonostante le sue vicende fossero scritte in tutte le opere degli antichi scrittori Greci, per molti secoli Delfi non viene più ricordata, è ignorata anche la sua antica ubicazione, solo nel XV secolo viene trovata grazie alle ricerche di Ciriaco, mercante di Ancona, dopodichè ha avuto inizio un ininterrotto pellegrinaggio in cui scopo principale era quello di trovare i magnifici monumenti e tesori ricordati da Erodoto e da Pausania.
Nell’area the sanctuary, was built a long time the village of Kastri, well, before the excavations began in I891, the village was taken apart and built a few miles away. Despite the many sacks that the sanctuary has had to endure, Nero killed over 5OO statues, to adorn Constantine plundered the Byzantium (Lanzani 1940 p. 82), the excavations have brought to light interesting relics of the past, but there is a strong belief that Delphi hide many secrets.
Delphi, the god Apollo holder, was undoubtedly the most famous sanctuary of ancient Greece, much more famous in Olympia, where as you know, besides the fact that the Olympics took place there, the title was Zeus. The fame of Delphi was due to the consultation, almost obligatory, almost all peoples of the earth, then known, carried out during migration and colonization. In fact, as they said Cicero, Plutarch and Justin, (Piccirilli 1972 p. 45) no people away from their land, without consulting the oracle of Delphi.
The consultation, which of course also affected other aspects of community life (wars, disasters, etc.), consisted of questions, orally or in writing, addressed to the priestess in turn, called Pythia at Delphi, whose answers, usually cryptic, were explained by the priests of the shrine. When it comes to shrines and oracles, the ball always goes into naive credulity degli antenati, ebbene, indipendentemente dalle nostre personali opinioni, occorre tener presente che, salvo alcune eccezioni, questo santuario era dagli scrittori antichi tenuto nella massima considerazione. Forse potrà sorprendere il fatto che era oggetto di grande venerazione anche da parte dei filosofi greci. Basti pensare che i famosi sette saggi, che in verità erano solo cinque (Talete, Solone, Periandro, Biante e Pittaco), scelsero Delfi per immortalare le loro famose sentenze: conosci te stesso, nulla di troppo, ecc.
Abbiamo già detto che il dio titolare era Apollo, ma nei tre mesi di ogni anno in cui Apollo si trasferiva nel paese degli Iperborei, il titolare diventava Dionisio.
Tracce del tesoro Plug in the Sanctuary of Delphi
First an introduction: in addition to the treasure of Spineta, Strabo (V-2) also notes the existence of the treasure in this sanctuary of Caere (Cerveteri). Since, as we will see many similarities shared by these two treasures in the course of research attempting to identify, often cite this treasure.
If we look at one of the many plants in the sanctuary of Delphi found that there are marked trails or those suspected of many treasures, some 38, especially if a large number compared with 16 in Olympia. Unfortunately, only 8 of these were successful, or at least think, identify yourself: Sicyon, Sifnos, Potidaea, Cnidus, Athens, Acanthus, and the Corinthians of Cyrene. For 15 others have tried, but with many questions, to give parenthood, all the others, including those for plug and Cerveteri, although not miss laudable assumptions are still anonymous.
There are two reasons why you encounter so many difficulties in the attempts of identification, one is already mentioned in the shrine built in the village of Kastri which prevented a definite attribution of inscriptions and dedications to their treasure, the other reason, perhaps the most important, is that ancient writers, who in the course of their work have pointed out these treasures have not done the detailed description who would have been useful to locate them.
The only descriptions that have been of some use are those of Pausanias, but the route they would have done in the sanctuary is not accepted by all.
short list of ancient authors cited by the Delphic treasures.: Pausanias (X, II) Sicyon, Sifnos, Thebans, Athenians, Cnidus, Potidaea, Syracuse and Corinth, Herodotus (I-14 and I-51), Corinthians, Clazomerai; Plutarch (de Pitia Oracles I2) acanthus Diodorus Siculus (XIV Historical Library 93) and Appian (Roman History II-8) Marseille, yet Diodorus Siculus, (XXVIII-IO) Thebans, Xenophon (Anabasis V-3) Athenians Polemon ( fragment XXVII) Sicyon, of course these must be added to the treasure as we have said that Spina is mentioned by Strabo, Pliny, Dionysius of Halicarnassus, Polemon, and that of Cerveteri mentioned by Strabo (op.c). There are other uncertain references to other ancient treasures, such as that of Turi for Ellie. Of course this list does not pretend to completezza.Vediamo which could be to plug and Cerveteri. From what I understand, unless the archaeological finds of the last hour, two would be the remains of the treasures that could be ascribed to them: one is (see map No. 1), the No. X, the other is the No. XII, I would add to these, so with all the necessary caveats, the No. IX. These three treasures are a common feature, would be the only sanctuary Delfico considered foreigners by archaeologists, with a design feature that is different from other treasures. Let's see what has been said about these treasures. To become aware of the various powers need to inspect the plants every scholar who almost always attached to their work, each map shows the trail of the treasures, each treasure is marked with a number, each number corresponds to a bidder if the bidder does not yet been identified is written anonymously, or is indicated by an adjective derived from some peculiarity.
Powers reported in some plants (see picture)
Map Andronicos (1984): X = treasure treasure archaic ruins Aslepio; XII = Treasury Wind;
IX = not mentioned
Settis Map (1996): As the map above with the exception that this treasure is the treasure XI anonymous. Map of La Coste
Missal (1936): as above with the exception of the Treasury said ninth treasure destroyed.
Bommelaer Map (1991): X = Treasury Etruscan treasures nell'Asclepio; treasure treasure XII = Anonymous; Treasury IX = treasure anonymous.
Map Roux (1976): X = Treasury Treasury archaic nell'Asclepio; treasure XII = anonymous; X = treasure treasure archaic anonymous.
Map Ferri (1960); treasure X = Etruscan treasures (but with a question mark) = XII treasure treasure wind anonymous; IX = old treasure treasure of Athens.
Map Torelli (1997); treasure X = Spina = Caere treasure XII, IX = small treasure Potidaea.
Map Karabatea, (no publication date, currently on sale in bookstores) X = Etruscan Treasure, Treasury XII = Syracuse; Treasury IX = Potidaea. Please note that, in this latest plan, unlike the other, some treasures are located in other places, but you can not know if it's typographical mistakes, or whether the results of new excavations, so it is difficult to compare with other plants.
Let's look at the comments of several scholars in this respect of each treasure.
TREASURY X.
As we have seen the maps, this treasure is built nell'Asclepio said, actually would have been destroyed in IV BC to make way for the temple of Asclepius (Briquel 1988 p. 150), perhaps he had fallen into disuse? For its construction had been used to secure a yellow travertine from Tuscany, a stone's inscription has been found Tyrrhenian rocks contain some of his grooves and holes are identical to those found in Etruria, the measurement corresponds to the foot Italian (Pomtow 1924) consequently nearly all is said Etrusco. The
Pomtow (1924) says Caere first, then later said Spina, the Missal (1936) Spina for Dismoor (1912) Caere, also says the Keramopoullos (1909); for Briquel (1988 p. 155) this treasure may be plug in As was seen by Strabo Polemon and, therefore, for this scholar can only be that of waxes. TREASURY
XII.
Says Briquel (oc p. 154) that this treasure has different characteristics from other Delphian treasures, width greater than the length, columns separated from the rest of the building, orientation, abnormal, but on this last point we will see, that there is a good reason, then adds that might be proposed and Etruscan Spina. The Missal (cited) says Caere, or Clazomenae; for Pomtow (cit) Cnidus; for Dismoor (CIT) could be Plug.
TREASURY IX.
As we have seen the plans, for many, this treasure does not exist. Let's see some characteristics, and some boulders come from the treasury X, and would be built on the same level, very similar to XII, and was built with Italian material. The powers of the few who remember him, do not agree, for the Ferri (1960) was the oldest of the Athenians for Pomtow (CIT) could be the continuation of Potidaea; for Dismoor (CIT) was Syracuse, but not exclude that it could be a plug. The Briquel (cited above) do not talk about it, this suggests that it does not consider ours.
As I said earlier, I found this treasure should also be included among the eligible candidates. Let's see why: In May of 1893 (Faure1985 p. 65) a few meters from the east wall of this treasure, fu rinvenuta una statua marmorea intatta, raffigurante un ragazzo; nel 1984, pochi metri più ad ovest, è stata rinvenuta un’altra statua quasi identica, ma rotta in alcuni punti.
Nella sala IV del museo di Delfi, in un unico piedistallo, vi sono due statue di ragazzi, opera dello scultore Polimede, una intera ed una, si noti bene, è rotta in più punti. Non si sa di sicuro che cosa e chi queste due statue rappresentino, per qualcuno sarebbero i fratelli Argivi Cleobi e Bitone, ma per altri, anche al seguito di una dicitura che è stata messa nella targhetta, si tratterebbe dei Dioscuri, cioè Castore e Polluce. Pensando a queste due statue, che vi sono buone ragioni per considerarle quelle trovate nei pressi del Treasure X, one can not but think of the story Polemon (op.c), which covered the two statues of two boys, existing in the treasury of the spins, which for many, as mentioned above would be to plug. If these were the ones mentioned by Polemon, the hypothesis treasure IX = Spina, would be taken seriously.
summarize the assumptions of powers; despite the uncertainties we can say that X is definitely one of us, but it is very difficult to plug, in fact, that award an obstacle difficult to overcome, as rightly said Briquel, (1988) that Polemon and could be seen by Strabo as the time that their baby was no longer visible. Not all Scholars have given this a valid consideration, it does not take into account the Torelli (1997, because, as we have seen in the map attached to his book, identifies with the treasure Spina X, perhaps the Torelli not deemed sufficiently secure the testimony of Polemon; actually the word barbed Polemon reported, it could mean Spineta, but it could also mean a different thing. Adds Briquel (1988) that there is still about the testimony of Strabo, that is, reading the inscription in the treasury of a reading Spineto made to this is when that baby was still clearly visible. So this is almost certainly that of waxes. As for the IX and XII, it can be only say that one of these should be to plug, but only thanks to new archaeological discoveries will be possible to say something more.
We have already mentioned the path that Pausanias accomplished in the Delphic sanctuary and several scholars have used for the identification of some treasures. Unfortunately, in some cases have been, led astray, for example Pomtow, holding good indication that he got from Pausanias, had mistakenly attributed to the treasure Cnidus XII. The same happened to the author of the Encyclopedia entry Delphi Treccani, these, according to Pausanias, he offers treasure XII Cnidus and, consequently, gives this treasure belongs interesting archaeological remains, found on site, including the famous Caryatid. Unfortunately, about the actual route of Pausanias, there are multiple versions, (Arias 1945 p. 44) and is not yet clear what the aforementioned giusta.Il Pomtow is of the view that Pausanias has recalled several treasures, such as that of Potidaea, without actually having them. Tracing the exact route of Pausanias also means knowing what small roads, in addition to the sacred path, were popular in his time, these were probably the oldest, not surprisingly flowed into the ancient port. Probably the sides of these streets were built many treasures, such as ours and this may explain the anomalous orientation of the twelfth, highlighted by Briquel (1988).
who built this treasure?
If we make the point at which we arrived with our research, we find that we have only one certainty: the inhabitants of Spina have erected a treasure in Delphi! We do not know exactly what, we do not know if these people were Greeks or Etruscans, we do not know what period they have built, we do not know who subsequently has been managed, we do not know at which event has been erected.
Unfortunately, despite the fact that in regard to these questions, you can also have the views of Italian writers, it is not possible to give reliable answers. Browse this that has been said about Greece and Etruschicità Spina is the first step you need to do to learn more. For all the ancient writers, Shore was a Hellenis polis, which is a Greek city. For the vast majority of modern writers, Shore was an Etruscan town. Why this contrast so sharply? The reason can be only one, the ancient Pelasgians probably spoke of the plug, ie the one at the time of the Trojan War was founded in that branch of the Po thorns modern writers speak of the plug that came to light in the last century and that by the findings, it appears to have been inhabited from the fifth to third century BC
seems strange, but they are right entrambi, infatti, parlano di due cose diverse. Nonostante questa precisazione, il problema merita di essere approfondito, perciò ridiamo uno sguardo alle testimonianze antiche. Per i già ricordati Strabone, Ps Scilace e Giustino, Spina era Greca. Plinio (III 16) la dice Spina fondata da Diomede, perciò anche per lui era Greca, Dionisio di Alicarnasso la dice fondata dai Pelasgi perciò Greca. Abbiamo già detto che nessuno scrittore antico ricorda una Spina Etrusca. Non dobbiamo pensare che questo sia dovuto al fatto che all’epoca non si pensava alla possibile esistenza nella Padania di qualche città Etrusca, infatti sono dagli antichi ricordate e dette Etrusche le città di Felsina (Plinio III,115); Adria (Livio V, 33), Mantova (Servius Aeneid X, 200) and Melpum (Cornelius Nepos in Pliny III, 21).
... tomorrow the 3rd and last part
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