Episode 23: The Python

In this episode, our guest writer Thomas Vachon (UNH 2022, Classics and Art History) takes us through the myth of the Python, its death at the hands of Apollo, its relationship to the foundation of Apollo’s oracle at Delphi—as well as some important comparative myths from the Near East (Tiamat and Leviathan). Delphi was the most important oracular site in Greece, and his temple is still prominently visible along the backdrop of Mt. Parnassus:

Temple of Apollo at Delphi. Image from Wikipedia.

Delphi was said to be the “bellybutton” or center of the Greek world, discovered to be so when Zeus released two eagles from the ends of the earth: they crossed over Delphi. And there Zeus deposited the omphalos (bellybutton), which was supposedly the same as the rock that Rheia had swaddled when she gave “Zeus” to Cronos to swallow. Here is a picture of the omphalos:

The omphalos in the Delphi Museum. Image from Wikipedia.

One of my favorite images is the delicate wall painting from the Palatine Hill in Rome, which depicts Apollo and his lyre sitting atop the omphalos:

Apollo Citharoedus, wall painting near the “House of Augustus” now in the Palatine Antiquarium.

We are pleased to have Maggie Melendez’s original art work to serve as our show tile. Here it is in all of its glory; we love the perspective, how it reflects the human, terrestrial perspective.

Apollo aims his arrow at the towering Python at Delphi.

Credits

Written and Produced: Thomas Vachon

Narrated: Scott Smith

Voice Actors: A.J. O’Neil and Julia Sommer

Music: Jared Sims, Brooklyn Tea

Original Show Tile Art: Maggie Melendez