Most people think about the sanctuary of Delphi as the seat of the famous oracle and of Olympia as the site of the Olympic games. The oracle and the games, however, were but two of the many activities ongoing at both sites. This book investigates the physical remains of both sanctuaries to show how different visitors interacted with the sacred spaces of Delphi and Olympia in an important variety of ways during the archaic and classical periods. It highlights how this fluid usage impacted upon, and was itself affected by, the development of the sanctuary space and how such usage influenced the place and relationship of these two sites in the wider landscape. As a result, it argues for the re-evaluation of the roles of Delphi and Olympia in the Greek world and for a re-thinking of the usefulness of the term 'panhellenism' in Greek politics, religion and culture.
- First full engagement in English with the archaeological material for the sanctuaries of Delphi and Olympia - Presumes no previous archaeological expertise and clearly explains and analyses all the archaeological evidence presented - Provides the first full chronological maps of the sanctuary of Delphi to be published, and the first chronological table of monumental dedications at Delphi