A view of the Temple of Apollo from the West, overlooking Roman ruins in the foreground. The temple, an imposing and magnificent structure in its day, was the main attraction of Delphi and the seat of the Delphic Oracle.
A view of the Temple of Apollo from the West, overlooking some Roman ruins. The temple was the seat of the Delphic Oracle and center of cult worship. Situated near the top of the Sanctuary, it overlooks and imposes down over the Sacred Way and the numerous treasuries and dedications to Apollo. The first temple here dates from the 7th century BCE, and after it burned down, the Alcmaeonids, a wealthy Athenian family in exile, replaced and expanded it around 510. The Alcmaeonid temple, also known as the Archaic temple, was destroyed along with so much of Delphi in the earthquake of 373, after which the temple seen here was constructed from 366-329. The large columns, made from poros stone, were originally covered with shining marble stucco, and the temple's foundation leaves an exposed gap in the center where the adyton, the seat of the oracle, was located.
Creation date unknown. Photograph processed July 1978. Notes written on the slide or index: Temple of Apollo - from West.
