Temple of the Delphic Oracle
According to ancient Greek mythology, initially on the site of the temple, the sanctuary of the goddess Gaia was located. According to legend, before founding his temple, Apollo killed the guard of the sanctuary of Gaia - the dragon Python (hence the name "Pythia"). The victorious Apollo needed priests for the newly formed temple. Then he reincarnated as a dolphin (hence the name "Delphic") and rushed into the sea in search. Soon he approached the Cretan ship and invited the sailors to become priests in his temple.
These sailors became the first priests in the Delphic temple, which was named after the appearance of Apollo in the form of a dolphin. At the same time, the first Pythia was the daughter of Apollo - Femonoy. In that era, before going on major military campaigns, kings and military leaders came to the oracle.
They asked him questions, wanting to know the outcome of the battles or how the war would affect the economy of the state. Then Apollo was revered as the patron of colonial campaigns. Later, the Delphic priests contributed to the transfer of the oracles of the Cuma Sibyl to Rome, exerting a Hellenic influence on local religion and traditions. Various rulers sought to ask the oracle a question, ready to travel great distances in order to communicate with the Pythia. Curiously, King Midas even gave the sanctuary a golden throne. A huge number of pilgrims came here. At the same time, it was possible to ask anything from the Delphic oracle only on certain dates, and only after performing a series of cleansing rituals. In addition to this, the Pythia had to be presented with a sacrifice and a corresponding payment.
Inside the sanctuary there was a place - adyton, which remained inaccessible to visitors. A golden statue of Apollo and various accessories were installed here. Under the adyton was a sarcophagus, where the ashes of the serpent Python were allegedly kept. Pythia refused to predict people whose name was blackened by crimes. Before answering visitors' questions, she bathed in the Kastalsky spring, after which she put a laurel wreath on her head.