Mythology
The history of Delphi is almost inseparable from mythology which remains as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago. It is said that Zeus released two eagles, one from the East and one from the West. These two met over Delphi where they dropped the Holy Stone, indicating that this was the centre of the earth.

The Oracle
The first oracle at Delphi was no less than the Goddess Gaia, mother earth, herself, guarded over by the dangerous Python who lived in the craggy crevices of this awesome mountain. The terrible monster was slain by Apollo who then made it his shrine, taking the name Phoebus from the daughter of Gaia, Phoebe, who had been there before him. He also kept the name Pythia for the oracle, whose significance was that she was always a woman, never a man as at other oracles, probably also in honor of mother earth.

Perseverance of the Magic
Throughout ancient Greek history, the significance of this oracle and its consequent power of influence cannot be overstated. It remained in existence till the Eastern Roman Empire became Christian, and only then did the Emperors Constantine the Great and subsequently Theodosius despoil it of its treasures and cast it into oblivion. Oblivion? Well, not quite. It's still here and it's still a place full of metaphysical awe. As a shrine, and not only that, it remains, to this day, unique.