top of page
Apollon, à peine né sur l'îlot de Délos, part sur les routes pour trouver un lieu ou fonder son culte.
Après avoir été berné par la muse Telphousa qui cherche à l'écarter de son sanctuaire en Béotie, il prend le chemin du Parnasse pour y batir un temple. Il commence par tuer le monstre femelle qui gardait l'endroit. Le monstre pourrit, donnant son nom au lieu : Pythô.
Il détourne un groupe de navigateurs crétois pour qu'ils instaurent son culte en cet endroit.
L'Hymne homérique à Apollon : récit détaillé du voyage du dieu de Délos, son lieu de naissance, jusqu’à Delphes ...
Plusieurs variantes, contradictoires, coexistent sur la façon dont Apollon s'empara de l'oracle.
Certaines en donnent une version violente, d'autres laissent entendre que Thémis, à qui Gâ avait confié l'oracle, transmit paisiblement la propriété à Apollon.
Ces mythes sont à l'image du dieu, qui a une réputation a priori pacifique (civilisateur, constructeur, protecteur des troupeaux, musicien, etc.), mais dont une face mois connue est violente, sanguinaire ("l'Apollon au couteau"), et fut pour cette raison le dieu consulté par les meurtriers.
(écouter Marcel Détienne : Apollon, le bel assassin de Delphes)
En tout état de cause, Apollon a délogé une déesse qui régnait auparavant sur l'oracle. Gâ, Athéna, Déméter, Artémis étaient toujours vénérées à Delphes, mais, à part Gâ, ces déesses furent mises à distance de l'Apollonion, autour du temple, réservé au dieu principal.
DELPHES
nombril du monde grec
DELPHI
navel of the Greek World
Treasury of the Siphnians / Trésor des Siphniens
SD 122
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_d05df439fe9342caad073ade7fbea289.jpg/v1/fill/w_610,h_460,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/775ad2_d05df439fe9342caad073ade7fbea289.jpg)
Restoration drawings of the Siphnian Treasury by Erik Hansen (1987)
![Diphniens](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_cd4ba70196f145189c8dc0b751f2cddb.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_107,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_cd4ba70196f145189c8dc0b751f2cddb.jpg)
Diphniens
bird's eye view with Treasury of Megara on the left. drawing Erik Hansen
![perspective from East](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_c6d04a6468fb46939846ea99d6aa8c4b.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_111,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_c6d04a6468fb46939846ea99d6aa8c4b.jpg)
perspective from East
drawing Erik Hansen
Remains of the Siphnian Treasury on the archaeological site
(most of the material is displayed in the museum)
![Bastion, vue du Nord-Ouest](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_0fe43d0557d7424db77670308654253e.jpg/v1/fill/w_162,h_113,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_0fe43d0557d7424db77670308654253e.jpg)
Bastion, vue du Nord-Ouest
![Bastion, vue de l'Ouest](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_d8a7ef46596d43a492627ab2969b4a8c.jpg/v1/fill/w_106,h_79,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_d8a7ef46596d43a492627ab2969b4a8c.jpg)
Bastion, vue de l'Ouest
![Bastion, vu de l'Est](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_90c1d78b738246d695392522e7f06b34.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_110,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_90c1d78b738246d695392522e7f06b34.jpg)
Bastion, vu de l'Est
![Bastion, vue rapprochée](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_c8e7be383b5448edb1fc6d4879f1893f.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_110,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_c8e7be383b5448edb1fc6d4879f1893f.jpg)
Bastion, vue rapprochée
![Bastion, vue rapprochée](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_82b134b5645f41e2b91688e7b96ccb38.jpg/v1/fill/w_104,h_70,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_82b134b5645f41e2b91688e7b96ccb38.jpg)
Bastion, vue rapprochée
Graphic restoration drawings of the Siphnian Treasury (then identified as "Cnidian treasury")
Albert Tournaire (1900)
![façade](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_72ccee4599a243608489fdc83d2e1ef1.jpg/v1/fill/w_90,h_108,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_72ccee4599a243608489fdc83d2e1ef1.jpg)
façade
drawing A. Tournaire
![façades avant et latérale](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_807457e48746462f975f13c909627b50.jpg/v1/fill/w_130,h_67,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_807457e48746462f975f13c909627b50.jpg)
façades avant et latérale
drawing Tournaire
The Treasury had been dedicated to Apollo by the inhabitants of Siphnos, in order to thank the god for the discovery of Gold mines on the island.
The story has been transmitted by historian Herodotus and traveller Pausanias.
At the same time (around 525 BC), Siphnians suffered from attacks of the pirates from Samos.
This could explain the presence of caryatids and rosettes, two motifs which have funeral signification in ancient Greece.
Anyhow, it was one of the first buildings enterely made of marble, and maybe the most luxurious offering in Delphi.
Old photographs : cast and presentation in the older museums of Delphi and Louvre
![reconstitution ancien musée](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_03133c1531434cabad09ed3a306d85a0.jpg/v1/fill/w_75,h_90,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_03133c1531434cabad09ed3a306d85a0.jpg)
reconstitution ancien musée
![vieux musée caryatide](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_32d3b19336704d3b992299728c69b113.jpg/v1/fill/w_113,h_146,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_32d3b19336704d3b992299728c69b113.jpg)
vieux musée caryatide
![Louvre](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_90d774c930c249248a7be2f6070c8910.jpg/v1/fill/w_98,h_63,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_90d774c930c249248a7be2f6070c8910.jpg)
Louvre
Two pieces of the decorated cornice of the Treasury
![rai-de-cœur (frise)](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_f301789fe74344d598c6e81af3dd8f1d.jpg/v1/fill/w_144,h_108,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_f301789fe74344d598c6e81af3dd8f1d.jpg)
rai-de-cœur (frise)
![larmier angulaire](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_b1ac1bd0f2224f2da99219ab687e08fd.jpg/v1/fill/w_150,h_107,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_b1ac1bd0f2224f2da99219ab687e08fd.jpg)
larmier angulaire
![larmier (ancien musée)](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_44bf7a799a964a3ca8d6a6f37890306b.jpg/v1/fill/w_133,h_180,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_44bf7a799a964a3ca8d6a6f37890306b.jpg)
larmier (ancien musée)
![larmier (sur le site)](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_1298de282ad8430f980387a174145b61.jpg/v1/fill/w_115,h_92,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_1298de282ad8430f980387a174145b61.jpg)
larmier (sur le site)
![Siphnos polychromie](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_6c65d28d7b494425b7d5e33ab0053ef4.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_242,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_6c65d28d7b494425b7d5e33ab0053ef4.jpg)
Siphnos polychromie
drawing : E. Hansen
![Siphnos architrave](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_5ee6cb96aec249fcbfe790e19a4cb300.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_76,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_5ee6cb96aec249fcbfe790e19a4cb300.jpg)
Siphnos architrave
drawing E. Hansen
Polychromy of the different mouldings of the entablature (Erik Hansen)
Geison
(cornice)
kymation lesbique
egg-and-darts of the architrave
Caryatide et encadrement de la porte (musée de Delphes)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_19b5736c32b6473b8dd09bfa95b39656.jpg/v1/fill/w_96,h_126,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_19b5736c32b6473b8dd09bfa95b39656.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_318cb59cdd414201a56af8cb4991c55a.jpg/v1/fill/w_104,h_149,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_318cb59cdd414201a56af8cb4991c55a.jpg)
Caryatide et encadrement de la porte (musée de Delphes)
West side of the Treasury (E. Hansen)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_4714fb26f4b140cda2094ac177ab6156.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_37,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_4714fb26f4b140cda2094ac177ab6156.jpg)
![pesée Dieux 1](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_f69e60fa05c34ae98f204d8e65592649.jpg/v1/fill/w_144,h_96,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_f69e60fa05c34ae98f204d8e65592649.jpg)
pesée Dieux 1
![pesée Dieux 2](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_420aa4511872496096970991d8f51bf8.jpg/v1/fill/w_115,h_78,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_420aa4511872496096970991d8f51bf8.jpg)
pesée Dieux 2
![pesée color 1](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_dbf3c930076a42a29c4c85b7ca1164eb.jpg/v1/fill/w_115,h_86,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_dbf3c930076a42a29c4c85b7ca1164eb.jpg)
pesée color 1
![pesée color 2](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_5d7666da5f264c5d89ed11f391f3ced7.jpg/v1/fill/w_113,h_150,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_5d7666da5f264c5d89ed11f391f3ced7.jpg)
pesée color 2
![pesée color 3](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_7356d55071fe4ac3ae191a1a0d3213bf.jpg/v1/fill/w_129,h_65,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_7356d55071fe4ac3ae191a1a0d3213bf.jpg)
pesée color 3
![assemblée des dieux](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_d23e76eaa270424c9147bcd0a1231d5a.jpg/v1/fill/w_144,h_77,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_d23e76eaa270424c9147bcd0a1231d5a.jpg)
assemblée des dieux
drawing Erik Hansen
Pediment and frieze of the West side (rear)
frieze of the North side
![Memnon color 2](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_d2492d06888b4266916b7e22c73e18ce.jpg/v1/fill/w_115,h_86,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_d2492d06888b4266916b7e22c73e18ce.jpg)
Memnon color 2
![Memnon color 1](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_39d36d4059614352bed1d8b5be100bbe.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_87,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_39d36d4059614352bed1d8b5be100bbe.jpg)
Memnon color 1
![20070225183550!NAMABG-Siphnos_Treasury_Frieze_1](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_824c424573a24d3c9c91703758a7c0aa.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_34,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_824c424573a24d3c9c91703758a7c0aa.jpg)
20070225183550!NAMABG-Siphnos_Treasury_Frieze_1
![28243_126431870730219_100386356668104_137724_6644896_n](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_6310af7789b742afa76bd38c5997dbcb.jpg/v1/fill/w_115,h_77,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_6310af7789b742afa76bd38c5997dbcb.jpg)
28243_126431870730219_100386356668104_137724_6644896_n
![Memnon 01](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_8078d0ddfec245ad9aa522508b5dd7f9.jpg/v1/fill/w_92,h_61,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_8078d0ddfec245ad9aa522508b5dd7f9.jpg)
Memnon 01
![Memnon 02](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_7a1db5f9726c46968c74b79e8e23062a.jpg/v1/fill/w_115,h_73,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_7a1db5f9726c46968c74b79e8e23062a.jpg)
Memnon 02
![Memnon 05](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_e41fc076baa447d6a91986b094c55427.jpg/v1/fill/w_144,h_96,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_e41fc076baa447d6a91986b094c55427.jpg)
Memnon 05
![Memnon 04](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_290b2fdc85dd4425ab0176ba2ab7cc1a.jpg/v1/fill/w_125,h_83,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_290b2fdc85dd4425ab0176ba2ab7cc1a.jpg)
Memnon 04
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_45a5c2b6e75c43c799b0d28990dd157b.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_16,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_45a5c2b6e75c43c799b0d28990dd157b.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_3c90e87260894e4686bbc124bb314481.jpg/v1/fill/w_137,h_19,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_3c90e87260894e4686bbc124bb314481.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_dd01b1f305a04c45acf781ed7f6dbe7e.jpg/v1/fill/w_108,h_93,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_dd01b1f305a04c45acf781ed7f6dbe7e.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_22a2f9a4c3e54b2796b3ba11ae3973ee.jpg/v1/fill/w_108,h_132,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_22a2f9a4c3e54b2796b3ba11ae3973ee.jpg)
![Gigantomachie, vue générale](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_8fe1f5016ae14909a8f919f00d365df9.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_93,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_8fe1f5016ae14909a8f919f00d365df9.jpg)
Gigantomachie, vue générale
![Gigantomachie](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_2a67c556c9114d2fabea6b661a17eda0.jpg/v1/fill/w_92,h_69,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_2a67c556c9114d2fabea6b661a17eda0.jpg)
Gigantomachie
![Gigantomachie, lion mordant un géant](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_b17cdaefe1fa49e6b6bd6fe7fc37eb53.jpg/v1/fill/w_92,h_69,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_b17cdaefe1fa49e6b6bd6fe7fc37eb53.jpg)
Gigantomachie, lion mordant un géant
![lion et géant, détail](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_9e414e3363d5430d8b30a4387580ef33.jpg/v1/fill/w_95,h_88,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_9e414e3363d5430d8b30a4387580ef33.jpg)
lion et géant, détail
![Gigantomachie Artemis et Apollon](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_380491e9e463443f9f3aa43f2af6cf82.jpg/v1/fill/w_144,h_108,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_380491e9e463443f9f3aa43f2af6cf82.jpg)
Gigantomachie Artemis et Apollon
![Gigantomachie Artemis et Apollon 1](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_2a9150133e8a4e1f8a943f7a4869e225.jpg/v1/fill/w_84,h_120,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_2a9150133e8a4e1f8a943f7a4869e225.jpg)
Gigantomachie Artemis et Apollon 1
![trois géants](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_b07a79147d28404bbfc1249be4ea0859.jpg/v1/fill/w_144,h_113,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_b07a79147d28404bbfc1249be4ea0859.jpg)
trois géants
![Ares contre des géants](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_0832b2dddb3c45b889b67d3269827a85.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_98,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_0832b2dddb3c45b889b67d3269827a85.jpg)
Ares contre des géants
![Siphnos quadrige](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_0d58f008cbd74024b4d6faf6e3dc4178.jpg/v1/fill/w_115,h_78,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_0d58f008cbd74024b4d6faf6e3dc4178.jpg)
Siphnos quadrige
![quadriga southern frieze](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_5f02786df6094cde85739604d389fffd.jpg/v1/fill/w_112,h_80,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_5f02786df6094cde85739604d389fffd.jpg)
quadriga southern frieze
![quadriga southern frieze](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_b902fc9063214ca5a5e1eb105cce18cc.jpg/v1/fill/w_92,h_69,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_b902fc9063214ca5a5e1eb105cce18cc.jpg)
quadriga southern frieze
![southern frieze with colors](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_7306a50a129a460f96ed04b2042635f2.jpg/v1/fill/w_115,h_86,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_7306a50a129a460f96ed04b2042635f2.jpg)
southern frieze with colors
frieze of the South side
![perspective frontale avec couleurs](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_44b86fbe081c482095414398d5bfe7b3~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_138,h_141,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_44b86fbe081c482095414398d5bfe7b3~mv2.jpg)
perspective frontale avec couleurs
![perspective avec couleurs](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/775ad2_abfea7888d0b460db978e21d535245f3.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_137,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/775ad2_abfea7888d0b460db978e21d535245f3.jpg)
perspective avec couleurs
3D reconstruction of the treasury of the Siphnians. @2020. Model: John Goodinson. Scientific advisor: Professor Elena C. Partida.
bottom of page