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Albert Tournaire, 1894 (archaeological reconstruction painting) · Wikimedia Commons
Delphi
Achaea · Roman province·Greece·Founded 8th c. BCE
Sanctuary of Apollo — still a working oracle in 117 CE, though its reputation was fading.
An uninhabited archaeological site; the adjacent modern village of Delphi was relocated in 1892 to allow excavation, and the sanctuary is now UNESCO-listed.
Excavation history
1892-1901
French School at Athens, led by Theophile Homolle — This decade-long project, known as the 'Great Excavation,' cleared the entire sanctuary of Apollo, including relocating the modern village of Kastri that sat on top of the ruins.
1893
French School at Athens — Uncovered the main altar of the Temple of Apollo (the Altar of the Chians) and the Sibyl Rock where the Pythia was said to have given her prophecies.
Notable finds
Charioteer of Delphi
Found in 1896 buried beneath the rockslide that had also protected it, this life-size bronze charioteer still has his original glass-inlaid eyes, rare for a surviving Greek bronze.
Delphi Archaeological Museum
Sphinx of Naxos
The people of Naxos raised this 2.3-meter marble sphinx atop a 10-meter Ionic column at Delphi around 560 BCE as an offering to Apollo.
Delphi Archaeological Museum
Kleobis and Biton
These two nearly identical Archaic marble youths, dedicated by Argos, depict the brothers who pulled their mother's ox-cart five miles to a festival of Hera and died in their sleep as their reward.
Delphi Archaeological Museum
Siphnian Treasury Frieze
Carved around 525 BCE for the tiny Treasury of Siphnos, this marble frieze shows gods battling giants and scenes from the Trojan War, excavated in pieces and reassembled in the museum.
Delphi Archaeological Museum
Dancers of Delphi
Three young women carved in high relief once crowned a slender marble column nearly 11 meters tall, thought to have supported a tripod or omphalos at its summit.
Delphi Archaeological Museum
Roman Maps shows the empire frozen at 11 August 117 CE, the day Trajan died — its moment of greatest territorial extent. Explore the full map →