Mythology: images and links
Psyche holds an oil lamp above Cupid to steal a look at him in the night
links to explanations of Greek and Roman mythology's gods and immortals
Cupid takes Psyche (often depicted with small butterfly wings) to Mount Olympus to appeal to Jupiter (Zeus) to make Psyche immortal
Psyche looks into the box from Proserpine (Persephone) that she is to give to Athena
| The Oracle at Delphi, temple of Apollo
Delphic Oracle's Lips May Have Been Loosened by Gas Vapors
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The Oracle at DelphiThe ancient Greek shrine of Apollo rests on the side of Mount Parnassus. Mount Parnassus rises in a long arc from the Gulf of Corinth above a valley whose sides held the groves, caves, and ravines sacred to the gods of ancient Greece. Parnassus itself was sacred to Apollo, god of the fine arts, and the muses, the nine daughters of Zeus. The muses were considered demi-gods and were the guardian spirits of writers and artists. The most important of the mountain places of worship was the Delphic shrine where the most famous oracle of ancient times presided and prophesied. Greek legend recounts how Apollo chose Delphi as one of his chief places of worship, along with Delos. Greek mythology tells of a time when the gods of the sky overcame those of earth. Then the infant Apollo took control of Parnassus by killing Python, the dragon snake that had possessed it. Apollo took the form of a dolphin and swam out to sea to capture a group of sailors, whom he appointed the first priests of his cult. Apollo spoke through his oracle, who had to be an older woman of blameless life chosen from among the peasants of the area. The sybyl or prophetess took the name Pythia and sat on a tripod seat over an opening in the earth. When Apollo slew Python, its body fell into this fissure, according to legend, and fumes arose from its decomposing body. Intoxicated by the vapors, the sibyl would fall into trance, allowing Apollo to possess her spirit. In this state she prophesied. She spoke in riddles, which were interpreted by the priests of the temple, and people consulted her on everything from important matters of public policy to personal affairs. |
