Jan 29: The Oracle at Delphi
Image: John Collier, The Priestess at Delphi, oil on canvas, 1891
Join us January 29, 2024, at 7:30pm, to explore the mystery of the Pythia, priestess and oracle of Delphi.
The Pythia, priestess at Delphi, was said to ‘count the grains of the sands and measure the sea’, to witness the future and see the heart of Zeus. According to legend, she helped to found countless ancient Greek city-states, dictated their codes of law, and inspired philosophers from Pythagoras and Socrates to Cicero. How did the Oracle succeed and flourish? In this talk, we’ll explore the site of Delphi, ancient traditions about the Pythia’s visionary sight and education of Greek philosophers, and what inspiration the Oracle’s most famous utterance to Chilon, ‘Know Thyself’, may still hold for us today.
Dr. Michael Griffin teaches and researches ancient philosophy, focusing on Greek traditions, at the University of British Columbia. He is also currently acting as Head of the Department of Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern Studies.
We’ll be gathering at 7:30pm at 4500 Arbutus Street in the Upper Hall. Light refreshments should be available as well. We hope to see you there!