How the Christians destroyed Delphi

[Pausanias]

Considered to be one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece, the sanctuary of Delphi, a famous ancient oracle, is located at the foot of Mount Parnassus and was a major cultural and religious center during its time. Read more about this stunning sanctuary where people from near and far used to come to consult the oracle.





Christianity, which started as yet one more mystery cult, soon gained ground, and this eventually resulted in the persecution of pagans in the late Roman Empire. The anti-pagan legislation of the Flavian dynasty deprived ancient sanctuaries of their assets. The emperor Julian attempted to reverse this religious climate, yet his "pagan revival" was particularly short-lived. When the doctor Oreibasius visited the oracle of Delphi, in order to question the fate of paganism,he received a pessimistic answer:

Εἴπατε τῷ βασιλεῖ, χαμαὶ πέσε δαίδαλος αὐλά,

οὐκέτι Φοῖβος ἔχει καλύβην, οὐ μάντιδα δάφνην,

οὐ παγὰν λαλέουσαν, ἀπέσβετο καὶ λάλον ὕδωρ.

[Tell the king that the flute has fallen to the ground. Phoebus does not have a home any more, neither an oracular laurel, nor a speaking fountain, because the talking water has dried out.]

It was destroyed during the persecution of pagans by Theodosius I in 381 AD.

[Armenian Bishop]

Fortunes from Delphi were often told in riddles.