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The Stadium of Delphi lies on the highest spot of the Archaeological Site of
The construction of the stadium can be discerned in at least four different phases. The initial construction dates, as mentioned above, to the 4th or mid-3rd century BC The latter dating coincides with the celebration of the Soteria, ceremonial celebration of the victory against the Galatians. Its track is 177.55 m long (about 550 ft.), and 25.50 m wide. Up to 20 athletes could compete simultaneously on the tracks, but soon the tracks were reduced to 17. The aphesis (starting points) were made of stone. The tiers on the south side were added only in 100 BC. A final restoration phase took place in the Roman period, consisting of the revetment of the tiers with stone.
The total capacity was about 6,500 spectators. The starting line is preserved on the east accompanied with two rows of incised slabs for placing the feet of the runners. Four pillars on the eastern side must have supported a monumental arch.
Delphi
Delphi (; ), in legend previously called Pytho (Πυθώ), was an ancient sacred precinct and the seat of Pythia, the major oracle who was consulted about important decisions throughout the ancient Classical antiquity, classical world. The A ...
. It overlooks the sanctuary of Apollo
Apollo is one of the Twelve Olympians, Olympian deities in Ancient Greek religion, ancient Greek and Ancient Roman religion, Roman religion and Greek mythology, Greek and Roman mythology. Apollo has been recognized as a god of archery, mu ...
and has a view to the Delphic landscape. It was built either within the second half of the 4th century B.C. or even after the Galatian attacks. Its measured 178 meters in length and knew several refurbishment phases. The Stadium of Delphi is the best preserved ancient stadium
A stadium (: stadiums or stadia) is a place or venue for (mostly) outdoor sports, concerts, or other events and consists of a field or stage completely or partially surrounded by a tiered structure designed to allow spectators to stand or sit ...
in Greece.
Description
The stadium occupied the highest part of the site, built over and to the northwest of the sanctuary of Apollo. It is epigraphically attested as "the pythikon stadion". To the north it was supported by the slope of the mountain, whereas to the south a wall was built to support the seats for the spectators. It is unknown when the site actually started being used for thePythian Games
The Pythian Games () were one of the four Panhellenic Games of Ancient Greece. Founded circa the 6th century BCE, the festival was held in honor of the god Apollo and took place at his sanctuary in Delphi to commemorate the mytho-historic slayin ...
. However, archaeological study shows that the actual architectural formation took place either within the second half of the 4th century or towards the mid-3rd century BC, after the victory against the Galatians and possibly at the instigation of the Aetolian League
The Aetolian (or Aitolian) League () was a confederation of tribal communities and cities in ancient Greece centered in Aetolia in Central Greece. It was probably established during the early Hellenistic era, in opposition to Macedon and the Ac ...
. Within the stadium took place the "gymnastic" contests, i.e., the track and field sports. Musical contests were probably organized there as well. A 2nd century BC inscription informs us on Satyr the Samian who performed a hymn "for the god and the Greeks" to the sound of the guitar.
Another interesting inscription, embedded on the eastern side of the support wall, is that forbidding to take out the wine destined for sacred rituals. The inscription has attracted the interest of epigraphists, but it has been proposed that maybe this was not its original place and that it is actually in second use.
The construction of the stadium can be discerned in at least four different phases. The initial construction dates, as mentioned above, to the 4th or mid-3rd century BC The latter dating coincides with the celebration of the Soteria, ceremonial celebration of the victory against the Galatians. Its track is 177.55 m long (about 550 ft.), and 25.50 m wide. Up to 20 athletes could compete simultaneously on the tracks, but soon the tracks were reduced to 17. The aphesis (starting points) were made of stone. The tiers on the south side were added only in 100 BC. A final restoration phase took place in the Roman period, consisting of the revetment of the tiers with stone.
The total capacity was about 6,500 spectators. The starting line is preserved on the east accompanied with two rows of incised slabs for placing the feet of the runners. Four pillars on the eastern side must have supported a monumental arch.
See also
*Stadium at Olympia
The Stadium at Olympia (also called the Olympia Stadium or the Olympia Stadion) is an ancient stadium at the archaeological site of Olympia, Greece, located to the east of the sanctuary of Zeus. It was the location of many of the sporting events ...
Bibliography
*Aupert, P.,(1977) « Un édifice dorique archaïque à l’emplacement du stade», BCH Supplément 4,pp. 229–245*Aupert, P.,(1979) ''Le Stade, Fouilles de Delphes'' II.10, 1979 *Bommelaer, J.-F., Laroche, D.,(1991) ''Guide de Delphes. Le site'', Sites et Monuments 7, Paris, pp. 213–216. *Homolle, Th.,(1899) « Le stade de Delphes », ''BCH'' 23, 601-615 *Pouilloux, J., (1977) «Travaux à Delphes à l’occasion des Pythia », ''BCH Supplément'' 4, 103–123.References
External links
{{Authority control Ancient Greek buildings and structures in Delphi Stadiums