The oracle : the lost secrets and hidden message of ancient Delphi /
The Oracle of Delphi would enter into ecstatic union with the god Apollo and bring back his prophecies and counsel for all who came seeking answers. Though the air of magic that surrounds her might cast her as a legend, the Oracle did really exist--and her visions caused her to become the single mos...
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| Format: | Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
New York :
Penguin Press,
2006
New York : 2006 |
| Subjects: |
| Summary: | The Oracle of Delphi would enter into ecstatic union with the god Apollo and bring back his prophecies and counsel for all who came seeking answers. Though the air of magic that surrounds her might cast her as a legend, the Oracle did really exist--and her visions caused her to become the single most influential figure in all of ancient Greece. Eyewitness accounts describe temple practices in detail, claiming that the Oracle breathed in vapors rising from the temple floor. In 1892 French archaeologists unearthed the temple, but could find no evidence that the rocky ground had brought vapors of any kind. Science journalist Broad tells a modern-day detective story that blends history and science to describe how a team of scientists, working from subtle clues scattered throughout the ancient literature, as well as from the latest findings in geology, uncovered scientific evidence to explain the Oracle's powers.--From publisher description "William J. Broad tells a modern-day detective story that blends history and science to describe how an enterprising team, working from clues scattered throughout the ancient literature, as well as the latest findings of geology, uncovered scientific evidence that at long last reveals the Oracle's secret. Into the dramatic account of that discovery Broad weaves the story of the ancient Oracle, as well as her surprising power to open a new phase in the modern debate between science and spirituality."--BOOK JACKET |
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| Item Description: | This WorldCat-derived record is shareable under Open Data Commons ODC-BY, with attribution to OCLC |
| Physical Description: | 320 p. : ill. ; 25 cm 320 p. : ill., map ; 25 cm 320 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm 320 pages : illustrations, map ; 25 cm |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references (p. [257]-294) and index Includes bibliographical references (p. [287]-294 ) and index Includes bibliographical references (p. [287]-294) and index Includes bibliographical references (pages 287-294) and index Includes bibliographical references (pages [287]-294) and index Includes bibliography (p. [287]-294) and index |
| ISBN: | 1594200815 9781594200816 |