Delphi was a city of ancient Greece. Originally called Pytho, Delphi was the seat of the famous oracle of Apollo, which was situated in Phocis, on the southern side of Parnassus, about 8 miles. north of the Corinthian Gulf. It was also one of the meeting-places of the Amphictyonic Council, and near it were held the Pythian games. The oracles were delivered by the mouth of a priestess who was seated on a tripod above a subterranean opening, whence she received the vapours ascending from beneath, and with them the inspiration of the Delphian god. The oracular replies were always obscure and ambiguous; yet they served, in earlier times, in the hands of the priests, to regulate and uphold the political, civil, and religious relations of Greece. The oracle was celebrated as early as the 9th century BC, and continued to have importance until long after the Christian era, being at last abolished by the emperor Theodosius. Persons came to consult it from all quarters, bestowing rich gifts in return. The splendid temple thus possessed immense treasures, and the city was adorned with numerous statues and other works of art. It first lost its treasures in 357 BC, when seized by the Phocians; it was afterwards plundered by Sulla and by Nero, while Constantine also removed several of its treasures. The site of the town is now occupied by a village called Castri, near which may be seen the still-flowing Castalian spring.
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