The Oracle of Delphi -- Was She Really Stoned?

BAR / Archaeology Odyssey ^ | March 20, 2020 / November/December 2002 | Jelle Zeilinga de Boer and John R. Hale

[SunkenCiv]

Numerous classical authors report that natural phenomena played an essential part in one of their most sacred religious rituals: the oracle at Delphi. According to the geographer Strabo (c. 64 B.C.–25 A.D.), for example, "the seat of the oracle is a cavern hollowed down in the depths … from which arises pneuma [breath, vapor, gas] that inspires a divine state of possession" (Geography 9.3.5). Over the past five years, a team of researchers -- a geologist, an archaeologist, a chemist and a toxicologist -- has put that claim to the test, making it much more likely that we will actually understand what happened at Delphi...

Unlike itinerant prophets and omen-interpreters, the Pythia derived her power from the place -- she could only prophesy while seated in the adyton within the Temple of Apollo. According to Strabo, the pneuma arose from a small opening (chasma ges) in the adyton: "Over the mouth [of the opening] a high tripod is set. Mounting this, the Pythia inhales the pneuma and then speaks prophecies in verse or in prose. The latter are versified by poets on duty in the temple" (Geography 9.3.5.).

Strabo was not the only ancient source to describe the adyton and the intoxicating gas. The second-century A.D. traveler Pausanias told of a spring in the temple’s adyton that made the Pythia prophetic. Also, in On the Obsolescence of the Oracles, the biographer Plutarch (c. 46–120 A.D.), who served as a priest of Apollo at Delphi, described an exhalation of vapor in the adyton that sent the Pythia into a trance.

Despite these testimonies, no serious scholar over the last 50 years has accepted the idea that the Pythia’s trance was caused by a gaseous emission.

[SunkenCiv]

Image: Frank Ippolito

[Deaf Smith]

She was what we now call a "Huffer".

Previously that person would be called a "Sniffer".

[apillar]

Despite these testimonies, no serious scholar over the last 50 years has accepted the idea that the Pythia’s trance was caused by a gaseous emission.

I've had a few nights after Taco Tuesday where gaseous emission almost put me in a trance...(sorry couldn't resist)

But seriously, I think the general consensus is that like modern horoscopes or the verses of Nostradamus, the Oracle of Delphi just uttered some vague random phrases that could be interpreted a hundred different ways. A Emperor who wanted to go to war would speak to her, she would utter something like "On the harvest moon, the light of Jupiter will shine on the fields of grain." The Emperor would interpret this as some great victory by Fall. And if he lost the battle...well then the Oracle's supporters would just say he misinterpreted it and the Oracle was speaking of a bountiful harvest.

[apillar]

Despite these testimonies, no serious scholar over the last 50 years has accepted the idea that the Pythia’s trance was caused by a gaseous emission.

I've had a few nights after Taco Tuesday where gaseous emission almost put me in a trance...(sorry couldn't resist)

But seriously, I think the general consensus is that like modern horoscopes or the verses of Nostradamus, the Oracle of Delphi just uttered some vague random phrases that could be interpreted a hundred different ways. A Emperor who wanted to go to war would speak to her, she would utter something like "On the harvest moon, the light of Jupiter will shine on the fields of grain." The Emperor would interpret this as some great victory by Fall. And if he lost the battle...well then the Oracle's supporters would just say he misinterpreted it and the Oracle was speaking of a bountiful harvest.

[Moonmad27]

Fascinating. What is especially interesting is that the carved stone that still exists is likely the one pictured on that ancient coin of Apollo.

[Jamestown1630]

I find it kind of hard to believe that some of the most intelligent people of their times - over several hundred years, if not much longer - wouldn’t have figured that out. They were not stupid people.

I think there was more going on.

[freedumb2003]

Her beber might have been.

[SunkenCiv]

https://www.storynory.com/7-king-croesus-and-the-oracle-of-delphi/

https://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/3698267/posts?page=9#9

[SunkenCiv]

As the Cigarette Smoking Man once said, nothing disappears without a trace. :^)

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/3105307/posts

[bigbob]

We’ve got natural ampitheaters, why not a natural bong?

[SunkenCiv]

http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/4/eh41.jsp?obj_id=3592

http://odysseus.culture.gr/java/image?foto_id=361&size=l1

[kevao]

the Oracle of Delphi just uttered some vague random phrases that could be interpreted a hundred different ways.

You mean like Q?

[Red6]

Interesting read.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Red6.

[SunkenCiv]

[SunkenCiv]

Travel in the Ancient World
by Lionel Casson

A gifted faker name Alexander founded an oracle in a backwater on the south shore of the Black Sea. Here, for stiff prices, a talking serpent he had rigged up answered questions for the local hayseeds... (p 135)

[grey_whiskers]

More like Biden, you know, the, the, thing.

[PIF]

Despite these testimonies, no serious scholar over the last 50 years has accepted the idea that the Pythia’s trance was caused by a gaseous emission.

---

Most "serious scholars" never leave their armchairs from which they issue papers based on other armchair "serious scholars" peer reviewed papers. Most know only one scientific discipline, and so can easily ignore what other disciplines see clearly. But, since the "serious scholars" only know that one discipline, outside opinions can be quickly dismissed or completely disregarded. And that is how lay people end up with the wrong idea or picture of antiquities.

For those interested, I'd recommend Robert Temple's rather obscure book "Netherworld" or re-issued as Oracles of the Dead: Ancient Techniques for Predicting the Future in which he personally visits, photographs, and explores various ancient oracles and a real netherworld (complete with an underground river supplicants had to cross); seeking answers as to how oracles, divination, reading entrails, and casting stalks were seen by most people of the time and why they were important to individuals in those cultures. From a review: " This is rigorously scientific, painstaking scholarship, as well as an adventure to discover the real history in ancient times."

[BenLurkin]

Excellent graphic. Thank you for posting

[Albion Wilde]

Only 2 posts before the first fart joke!