| Didyma |
The stupendous Temple of Apollo at Didyma, once the seat of an
oracle which rivaled of Delphi, was begun in 494 BC. Over 1400
years later, it was still not finished, but its ruins are breathtaking
in their size and beauty.
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It was to cover such a vast area, that its construction lasted more than 150-200 years and yet it was planned to be without ceiling. Again after the "Ionian Rebellion", it was to Alexander the Great to order its restoration.
On the ruins of the VIth century BC temple, a church was built during the Byzantine period.
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Though the ruins one can see today are of pre-Christian age. The temple was famous all over the Greek world for its oracles so that it even surpassed the reputation of Delphi.
The reason for which the harbor of Panamos near Didyma became very busy and was visited by lots of commanders, ordinary and respected people, is that they wanted to learn their future from the priests of the temple.
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The oracle ceremonies were in two steps : the Pithy would first comment the glitters on the waters of a well and then the priests would translate these into literal and impressive words.
After the Lade War, many of the priests were to escape from the temple or killed by Alexander the Great and the temple of Didyma remained an unimportant temple till the Roman time.
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