I have great interest in temples and the religious side of Greek culture. Mythology has always been very interesting to me (maybe its why I'm writing my thesis on Ovid...). Anyway, while we were talking about the pan-hellenic temples I got interested in the movement people made to reach these common areas of worship. Did the temples themselves draw people? If so, which were more successful than others? People are constantly consulting Delphi throughout mythology (as well as in Herodotus and Thucydides) and I began to wonder what started this. So, I would like to do my project/presentation on this phenomenon and its implications. The only problem is I'm not sure where exactly to start. Or what I want my main question/focus/drive to be. Any ideas?

Hi Katie, Interesting project idea. There are various paths forward. I recommend you begin with the most trodden at the general level of Greek Religion. Have a look at Walter Burkert's Greek Religion, Harvard 1987. There is also a new book by Jon D. Mikalson called Ancient Greek Religion, Blackwell, 2004. In terms of focus, I am a big fan of studies which acccentuate the crossovers between the religious, the social and the materials on the ground. Here I would recommend you begin with Chapters 7 and 12 in Whitley. He is also good for further references. Let me know when you have had a chance to glance over these and then we can work on the site-specificities of Delphi. Best of luck, Chris

Posted at Nov 17/2005 09:38AM:
The Mikalson book is on order from Green. Is there anywhere else I can look to get it?

Posted at Nov 18/2005 09:31AM:
Chris Witmore: Have you tried the bookstore? Nice place to sit and read!