Oh My (Greek) God(s) -LS-

Chapter 3

Notes:

Talk about Delphi and whatnot.

Read notes at the bottom for some important information and stuff.

 

New Tags:

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Sources:

http://camphalfblood.wikia.com/wiki/The_Oracle_of_Delphi

http://camphalfblood.wikia.com/wiki/The_Oracle_of_Delphi

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_oracular_statements_from_Delphi

http://www.in2greece.com/english/historymyth/mythology/names/furies.htm

 

Word Count:

2011

“Hello, class.” Mr. Tomlinson began as the class started. “Today, we are going to talk about the Oracle of Delphi.”

Harry bit his lip and looked up at his teacher. This Oracle of Delphi was the person who he and his teacher, who just so happened to be the god of the dead, were going to go and see. Harry did need to know more about this Oracle person, so he was glad that Mr. Tomlinson was going to go over her. He was also scared to know more about her.

“Who knows about the Oracle of Delphi?” Mr. Tomlinson asked.

“It’s some old skeleton lady thing.” Amy asked.

Mr. Tomlinson sighed and nodded. “Yeah, no.” He said. “The Oracle of Delphi is a speaker of the prophecies of Apollo.”

He looked around the room, looking at Harry.

“In Greek mythology, the Oracle of Delphi is Pythia, who was a priestess at the Temple of Apollo.” Mr. Tomlinson began. “People would come from all over to ask the Oracle for her wisdom about important matters. Those matters ranged from public policy to personal affairs. The Oracle would also be consulted before any kind of important decision, including war or the founding of colonies.” He said.

Harry took a deep breath, watching as the older continued. “Priests and priestesses at an oracle spoke on behalf of the gods. The advice from the gods was usually so vague that it always seemed to be right. Other people from as far as Lydia, Caria, Rome, and even Egypt would send a representative to consult the Oracle. Eventually, the Oracle was placed under the protection of the Roman Empire for a short while to protect her from barbarians and thieves. However, the Temple of Apollo was eventually destroyed after years of war, earthquakes, and being burned by barbarians. The spirit of the Oracle of Delphi was passed on from maiden to maiden to continue to speak the prophecies of Apollo and Delphi in ancient times was considered the center of the known world, the place where heaven and earth met.” He said.

“This was the place on earth where man was closest to god. In Mythology, Delphi was the meeting place of two eagles, released by Zeus and sent in opposite directions. Where they met indicated the center of the earth. Delphi is known as the center of worship for the god Apollo, son of Zeus, who embodied moral discipline and spiritual clarity. But even before the area was associated with Apollo there were other deities worshipped here including the earth goddess, Gaea, Themis, Demeter, and Poseidon. By the end of the Mycenaean period Apollo had displaced these other deities and became the guardian of the Oracle.” As Mr. Tomlinson spoke, he looked around the room. His eyes always seemed to land on Harry’s.

“The Oracle has the power to speak the prophecies of Apollo. These prophecies are the destinies of others. However, while an Oracle can see the future, they do not always remember what they have said while they are being possessed by the Spirit of Delphi.” He said.