My cacheboys love mythology, so here's the next in our series. CONGRATS!!! to Chihuahuas-3 for FTF!
***Note 8/16/18: Due to repeated deliberate muggle-vandalism, the cache was changed to slightly different position (same coords). We'll see if it still gets muggled...Wave to the old magnetic key cache visible at the top of the north side of the gazebo...We got tired of hauling out the 30 ft ladder. Please take care to replace exactly as found. ***
The Oracle at Delphi is a figure of great historical importance that was, and still is, shrouded in mystery. According to legend, the hill at Delphi was guarded by a giant serpent called Pythos for hundreds of years. Apollo killed Pythos and claimed Delphi as his sanctuary and temple. Apollo's advice was sought by the Greek cities on important matters of state, and the one Oracle, chosen from Apollo's priestesses called "Pythia", spoke for the god Apollo and answered questions for the Greeks and others about colonization, religion, and power. First, the Oracle entered the inner chamber of the temple, then sat and inhaled the light hydrocarbon gasses that escaped from a chasm in the earth (confirmed by modern geologists). After falling into a trance, she muttered words incomprehensible to mere mortals, so they were interpreted by the priests. These prophesies were often vague and had dual meanings. For example, Croesus, king of the Lydians, wanted to know if he should attack the Persian Empire, so he sought the advice of the Oracle. She told him he would destroy a great empire if he attacked, so he did. Little did he know the "great empire" destroyed was actually his own. While the authenticity of the story of Croesus may be questionable, what is certain is that the Oracle of Delphi did indeed exist.