I visited Delphi as part of a large group a little over a year ago, on the last legs of a trip that took us through most of western Europe. I have to say that I'd gladly take Delphi (or Meteora) over Athens any day; suffice to say that Delphi was one of the highlights. The tour guide at the temple was also one of the best ones I've ever seen, in Greece or elsewhere. She shared with my friends and I a surprising story, which I decided to put down in a few paragraphs, having been reminded of it today.1
Greek culture was (and still is) often praised as one of the pinnacles of western civilization, and I'll be the first to applaud the Greeks' many advances, but because of this perception, many people like to gloss over the less "ideal" truths about the ancient world. There are a number of these, but our story centers around one in particular: the fact that the ancient Greeks had slaves, as did most cultures in that era. I'm not about to get into the specifics of slavery at their time; suffice to say that it functioned differently in some respects from more recent equivalents, but was in other respects quite similar. One similarity was that, as always seems to be the case, for every number of humans who want to own another being, there will be others who would not object to freeing them. Manumission was not a hugely widespread practice, but it was not unheard of by any means, and might take place for a number of reasons - a reward for loyalty, perhaps, or an exchange for money (some slaves literally "bought" their freedom). Any Greek wishing to free a slave, however, had to face the possibility that this new freeman might easily be enslaved to another master; the legal status of freemen was uncertain at best, and under certain conditions, it would take little effort for another individual to return them to slavery.2
Enter Delphi.3
The females oracles or "sibyls" are, of course, the best remembered of the temple's inhabitants, but there were a great number of male priests at Delphi, who played important roles in many of the temple's daily affairs. Delphi was a crossroads of information and power that transcended political and national boundaries; kings from countries scattered all across the Mediterranean would make the trek to Delphi, seeking the oracle's wisdom. The famous predictions of the seers are a story for another day, I'm afraid, but considering its massive spiritual and political importance, it is little wonder that many people, kings and citizens alike, would come to Delphi in search of answers to all kinds of questions. If a Greek had a slave whom he wished to free, he could journey with the slave to Delphi, and request the aid of the priests. They would hear his dilemma, and if they agreed to help, he would then take part in a surprising legal and spiritual transaction:4
The priests of Delphi would not free the slave - instead, in exchange for a fee, they would transfer his or her ownership to the god Apollo.5
This does not sound much like manumission, but examine it more closely. Apollo himself is not about to appear before you, a slave, and begin handing out orders - even if he did, this would be considered an honor rather than a burden. So in every practical sense, you truly are "free." However, since you technically belong to the god, no one, no matter how badly he is need of another laborer, is about to step between a deity and his divine property. You will never be troubled by would-be new masters again.6
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28471873@N07/2659014577/7
This picture is of a wall of the stoa of the Athenians - upon it, the slaves recorded their names, those of their masters and probably of the priests involved, as well as the dates and reasons for their manumission. This is only a tiny portion of the wall, which is as long as the temple itself, and more than eight feet tall. Almost every inch of it is covered in records of newly freed slaves.8
Dear Delphi: My hat is off to you.
Author notes
I am writing this from memory, more or less as it was told to me, so I apologize for any inaccuracies - this is the best recollection I can manage of it. For anyone who has not been there, Delphi is well worth a visit for more reasons than I can list here. In fact, if you buy tickets, let me know if there's room for a stowaway in any of your suitcases. I'd love to visit the place again. =)
Comments
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UNIQUE!
Very scholarly effort...well written and nicely, originally, and succinctly done. Furthermore, I actually learned something! And all this time, I thought I knew it all! Lol!
In fact, I'd been to Greece and did not come upon this story. Too busy, I guess, buying worry beads...and snacking in the Plaka! I did manage to make it to the Parthenon, though, still quite an undeserving, I'm afraid,follower in the actual footsteps of Plato and the others on the way back down along the footpaths of the Acropolis.
Nice piece!
GA
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Thank you for the read and comment - glad to hear that you enjoyed it =) The Parthenon is a very humbling place (though the rest of Athens wasn't quite so inspiring, at least not for me). If you're ever in Greece again, I think you'd enjoy seeing and experiencing Delphi.
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this was wonderful, very insightful and cretaive. It was wonderfuly written and I very much enjoyed reading it.Thanks for sharing.
Dew -
Great
Very much infomaton in this piece and very enjoyable to ponder on especially about the way slaves were made free.
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I plan to travel when I leave school and from what you say, I think I'll go to Delphi on my travels
Thanks for sharing This was well written
Cody
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Awesome!
Thank you for sharing this information. Actually, I like that you discuss your trip and the tour. I'm traveling vicariously. It was fantastic!
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Interesting. This is so exciting because I'd love to visit Greece one day. Thank you for sharing Furthermore, having read this, I might reconsider hiring a tour guide on my next travel because usually, due to strict budgets, I get the information from the internet, books and friends who had been to the travel destination instead. Oh, by the way, my next travel destination is Berlin in a few days time. Can't wait for it! I might probably write a travelogue on it if I have the time.
P.s. [Response to AN]: Sure do.
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I can only skim this right now, since it's bedtime for everyone here. Can't wait to run by tomorrow and finish. History is my favorite, and it sounds like you've really written this well.
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Thanks for a well written historical piece.
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Most excellent, Theophilus!
Many cheers to SoundInkMusic; however, I am not too sure that Greece is the "pinnacle of Western Civilization". I tend to think that both Roman and Grecian Civilization had a part to play in the formation of Western Civilization as the Pilgrims, who founded this country, took from the best of both worlds in constructing some of their laws and regulations--wouldn't you say?
However, a very good excerpt on temple life in Ancient Greece.
Cheers to all!
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I wouldn't necessarily call it the "pinnacle" either; I merely wanted to make a point that their culture generally receives a great deal of praise, and because of this many details are often overlooked.
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Well gotta say i like it!
That was pretty awesome! i love greek mythology so this was a pleasant read for me
Is it possible that this could happen? hm..... i wonder. This was really great and I hope you keep writing (especially greek mythology.)
The Phantom Knows
MusicOfTheNight
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This is history, not mythology - it really did happen. =)
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true but it has mythology tied in
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Interesting
I thought the information was very thought provoking. Did the question of - what if a person didn't respect the declaration of freedom for the slave from the oracle?
What would happen to that person? There was a good chance Apollo might not come looking for the person who stole his slave. I would like to read more about this.
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I found this very interesting. I always enjoy learning historical tidbits like this.
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wow thats amazing!
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A really sweet story about human kindness
I've never heard this tale before, and I do like my ancient history. I never knew that the priests at Dephi used their power in such a humanitarian and selfless way. Brilliant to know that there is always a ray of kindness shining throughout the cesspit of humanity.
Thanks for posting it Ink. It really made me smile.
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Wow that's pretty ingenius. Very forward-thinking, those Delphic folks. I'd chisel my name in that wall if I'd been freed in that manner. That's pretty cool that so many people brought their slaves there to ensure their continued freedom, too.
Thanks for sharing. I love little bits of history like this.
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