Delphi

, now Castri , a town of Phocis, situate in a valley at the south-west side of mount Parna us. It was also called Pytho , because the serpent Python was killed there; and it received the name of Delphi , from Delphus the son of Apollo. Some have also called it Parna ia Nape , the valley of Parna us. It was famous for a temple of Apollo, and for an oracle celebrated in every age and country. The origin of the oracle, though fabulous, is described as something wonderful. A number of goats that were feeding on mount Parna us came near a place which had a deep and long perforation. The steam which i ued from the hole seemed to inspire the goats, and they played and frisked about in such an uncommon manner, that the goat-herd was tempted to lean on the hole, and see what mysteries the place contained. He was immediately seized with a fit of enthusiasm, and his expre ions were wild and extravagant, and pa ed for prophecies. This circumstance was soon known about the country, and many experienced the same enthusiastic inspiration. The place was revered, and a temple was soon after erected in honour of Apollo, and a city built. According to some accounts, Apollo was not the first who gave oracles there; but Terra, Neptune, Them is, and Phœbe were in po e ion of the place before the son of Latona. The oracles were generally given in verse; but when it had been sarcastically observed that the god and patron of poetry was the most imperfect poet in the world, the prieste delivered her answers in prose. The oracles were always delivered by a prieste called Pythia . See: Pythia . The temple was built and destroyed several times. It was customary for those who consulted the oracle to make rich presents to the god of Delphi; and no monarch distinguished himself more by his donations than Crœsus. This sacred repository of opulence was often the object of plunder, and the people of Phocis seized 10,000 talents from it, and Nero carried away no le than 500 statues of bra , partly of the gods, and partly of the most ♦ illustrious heroes. In another age, Const an tine the Great removed its most splendid ornaments to his new capital. It was universally believed, and supported, by the ancients, that Delphi was in the middle of the earth; and on that account it was called terræ umbilicus . This, according to mythology, was first found out by two doves, which Jupiter had let loose from the two extremities of the earth, and which met at the place where the temple of Delphi was built. A poll on i us , bk. 2 , li. 706 .— Diodorus , bk. 16 .— Plutarch , de Defectu Oraculorum , . — Pausanias , bk. 10 , ch. 6 , . — Ovid , Metamorphoses , bk. 10 , li. 168 .— Strabo , bk. 9 . ♦ ‘illustrous’ replaced with ‘illustrious’