Delphi: A History of the Center of the Ancient World

449 Pages·2014·9.44 MB·English

by  Michael Scott

Delphi
M i c h a e l S c o t t
princeton University press Princeton and Oxford
D e l p h i
A history of the center of the Ancient World
Copyright © 2014 by Michael Scott
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Cover image: Detail of Albert Tounaire, Sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi, watercolor, 1894, Ecole des
Beaux-Arts Paris. Photo Credit: CCI / The Art Archive at Art Resource, NY
All Rights Reserved
ISBN 978- 0- 691- 15081–9
Library of Congress Control Number: 201393891
British Library Cataloging- in- Publication Data is available
This book has been composed in Garamond Premier Pro
Printed on acid- free paper. ∞
Printed in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
For my friends, mentors, and colleagues in Cambridge,
to whom I will always owe a great debt for their support,
comradeship, and encouragement.

The investigation of the remains at Delphi is the most interesting
and important work now remaining to be accomplished in the
field of Classical archaeology. The part which Delphi played in
the history of Greece is too well known to need recounting. The
imagination of every man who recognises what modern civilisation
owes to ancient Greece is stirred by the name of Delphi as by no
other names except that of Athens. . . . Delphi will be forever one
of the sacred seats of the life of the human race.
Circular of the Archaeological Institute of America, 11 May 1889

Acknowledgments xi
Maps xiii
Prologue: Why Delphi? 1
pArt i: Some are born great
1: Oracle 9
2: Beginnings 31
3: Transformation 51
4: Rebirth 71
pArt ii: Some achieve greatness
contents
5: Fire 93
6: Domination 119
7: Renewal 139
8: Transition 163
pArt iii: Some have greatness thrust upon them
9: A New World 183
10: Renaissance 203
11: Final Glory? 223
12: The Journey Continues 245
Epilogue: Unearthing Delphi 269
Conclusion 285
Guide: A Brief Tour of the Delphi Site and Museum 291
Abbreviations 303
Notes 309
Bibliography 375
Index 401