In the Footsteps of Paul: Day 18, Wednesday, March 11

Delphi and Athens

Delphi, on the southern slope of Mount Parnassus, was the most important sacred site in all the ancient Hellenistic world.  Inspired by the Greek god Apollo, the Delphic Oracle would provide answers to any question asked by a worthy supplicant.  Written over the doorway of the temple were two famous sayings: "Know thyself."; and, "All things in balance."  Ancient pilgrims, from kings to commoners, streamed to the site from all over the Europe, North Africa and Asia Minor to seek answers to their questions about the future.  These predictions were often so vague, any result could be defended by the priests as being correct.   Every major kingdom in Greece and the Greek Isles built treasuries surrounding the Temple of Apollo, and provided the temple grounds with lavish gifts of art and precious metals.  The modern site has collected many of the most valuable artifacts in a wonderful museum.  Some of the world's greatest sculptures are housed there.

The Archaic Kouros

 

A frieze from a ruined treasury, depicting a hunt for lions.

A frieze of warriors fighting over the body of a fallen comrade.

A Classical athlete, showing physical perfection not found again in sculpture until the high Renaissance.

The Charioteer of Delphi, one of the finest examples of bronze statues from Ancient Greece.

Of great New Testament significance is the Delphi Inscription--the name given to the collection of nine fragments of a letter written by the Roman emperor Claudius (52 AD). The reference to proconsul Gallio in the inscription provides an important historical marker for developing the chronology of the life of the Apostle Paul. Paul appeared before Gallio in Corinth. Gallio dismissed the charges against Paul, giving tacit Roman approval for his ministry there.  It provides one of the few concrete dates that historically verifies the truth of the biblical narrative. See Acts 18:12.

The Delphi Inscription, or Gallio Inscription

The archeological site is one of the finest in the world, and set in a place of breath-taking beauty.

Pilgrims walking up the Sacred Way.

The ruins of the Temple of Apollo.

Walking down to the Athenian Treasury.

We drove from Delphi into the city of Athens, arriving early enough so that any pilgrim so desiring could take a long walk through the city.  

A view of the Acropolis from the rooftop of our hotel.

 A busy square in Athens with the Acropolis in the background.

Tomorrow will be our final day, visiting first Corinth where St. Paul lived for eighteen months and visited three times, and then Mars Hill in Athens, where he preached his sermon, "To an Unknown God."