Ancient Gods and Stone Monsters in Didim/Turkey
Visit the Apollo Oracle and Medusa in Didim/Turkey
Sep 2, 2008 Inka Piegsa-Quischotte
Less known than the famous oracle in Delphi, but equally important at its time, is the one dedicated to Apollo and Artemis in Didim, located about 150 km southwest of Izmir on Turkey`s west coast.
The oracle of Didyma was the main sanctuary and place of worship for the once powerful and mighty city of Milet. Ransacked, burnt to the ground and shaken by terrible earthquakes over the centuries, the temple complex of Didyma and what remains of it, conveys a feeling of magic and fascination which endures to this day.
Visiting in the early morning, at opening time of 9am and paying the modest fee of less than $1, the place is eerily silent. Even the birds and lizards seem under the spell of the well preserved images of Gorgons and Medusa, which never fail to inspire the imagination.
Climbing the steps to the platform of the temple, the eye rests on broken columns, the remains of the well, covering the sacred spring which, together with the ancient holy olive tree, form the centrepiece of each oracle dedicated to Apollo.
Stairs lead down from the entrance to three well preserved images of Medusa, mounted on a low stone wall. Medusa was one of the Gorgon sisters, the most beautiful but the only one who was mortal. Medusa was extremely proud of her beauty, an attitude which became her downfall. Randy Poseidon fell for her and seduced her, of all places in the sanctuary of Athena! That didn`t go down well with the goddess, but as she couldn`t take on Poseidon, she punished Medusa instead, turning her into the snake-haired monster, whose stare could turn people to stone who dared to look into her eyes.
Along came Perseus, who, shielding his eyes, managed to cut off the monster`s head. The drops of blood which fell to the ground have, according to mythology, created the snakes of Africa. Devious Perseus then mounted Medusa`s head on his shield and used the powers, which persisted even after her death, to successfully fend off his enemies.
Fortunately, nowadays, contemplating the scary stone image of Medusa, does not turn visitors to stone anymore, but the imagination runs riot.
The oracle has a colorful history and was a place of worship much favored by Alexander the Great, founder of Izmir, which was called Smyrna in ancient times. Small wonder, because the oracle had - correctly - predicted Alexander`s vast conquests although it presumably didn´t mention his early death.
Voices drift down, footsteps approach, traffic noise intrudes on memories of past glories and atrocities. The tourist buses have arrived, it`s time to leave. Safe for another mighty earthquake, this impressive temple complex is good for another few hundred years, so there`s no need to rush your visit.
Temple complex Didyma
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medusa image Didyma
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medusa's severed head
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