Trifter

Who was this god Apollo? The Greek’s considered him to be the god of poetry, music and oracles. He was also known as the god of light and sun. Yet their are those who believe that even though Apollo was known as one of the twelve gods residing on Mount Olympus in Greek mythology, they believe him to be better known as an Anatolian god, the counter part of Hittie god, Apulunas. The Hatti were a race of people residing in Central Anatolia during the prehistoric age prior to the introduction of writing. They gave their name to Anatolia, which was called the land of Hittie. He was also known as the twin brother of Artemis and the son of Zeus.

The Greeks believed in fate and looked upon Apollo as an oracle. Oracles were given by the Priests in the temple in Didyma, this was one of the second oracle sights. The word ‘Didymaion’ means “Twins”. The town today is known as Didim was not regarded as a city but as a sacred place. In this sacred place we find the temple of Apollo which was built in the 8th century B.C. and was surrounded by columns that were built in the 6th century B.C. This temple was completed in the year 550 B.C. The Branchids or people who acted as priests and oracles ruled this region for a very long and peaceful time.

Within the inner temple was a statue of Apollo which was sculptured by Kanachus of Sicyon and reflected the Anatolian-Hittite characteristics. The temple was used to store valuables, treasures and gifts. In the front of the temple there once stood a sacrificial altar. The walls you see now are the same ones built in 550 B.C.

Didim is 4km inland from the coast now known as Altinkum and 15km south of Akkoy, near Soke. An ancient road paved with stones from Didyma to Milutus was built, it took four days of walking for those who wished to visit the temple. Statues of Branchids sitting adorned both sides of the road. They had stood there for over 23 centuries until the British placed them in the British Museum in 1858. Twelve of the statues exhibited the archaic style of art, consisting of 8 men, 2 women and 2 lions. This wonderful temple was destroyed by the Persians in 494 B.C., its treasures plundered. The building was re-constructed by Alexander the Great, who was pronounced the son of Zeus by an Oracle during the Hellenistic period and its remains are what you see today. The length of the temple is 60 meters, the height 118 meters. It was surrounded by seven large steps on each side. Around the temple are 124 columns that are 19.70 meters high, and in two rows. Entry to the front hall is exhibited by 13 large steps and 12 octagonal columns with ornamented bases. Of which 10 were Hellenistic and 2 from the Roman periods.

Those wishing to come to the temple to ask for a reading could not enter the oracle room directly. They had to go through the first hall to petition for a reading. Two big columns gives access to a sacred area in the from of an open courtyard surrounded by high walls. Three doors back, people descended to an inner courtyard called the “adition”. Behind the doors was a marble block that weighs 70 tons and is considered the biggest archaeological element found.

Since the reign of Emperor Theodoles who prohibited any forms of prophecy in 395 A.D. the temple was left to fall into history no longer used for the purpose it was built. In the 15th century an earthquake had left the temple in a heap of marble. Today as you approach the temple you will find small shops adorned with trinkets, statues and other souvenirs. You pay a small entrance fee but is well worth the money. You may find yourself feeling like a child again wanting to explore every bit of the fallen structure and try to piece together