Cleobulina and the oracle of Delphi
Characters:
Theme: Oracles
Competencies
Competence in Linguistic Communication
Personal, social and learning to learn competence
Competence in cultural awareness and expressions
Subjects and year by Educational System
Spain > Classical culture > 2nd ESO > Continuity of cultural heritage. Mythology and religion
Enunciation
Compare the enigma of Cleobulina, a didactic poetess, author of epigrams and a contemporary of Sappho (6th century BC), with the response of the oracle of Delphi. Then, answer the questions about the god Apollo and the Greek sanctuaries.
1.- Read these two enigmas and reason which one has used polysemic meaning and which one metonymy. Which do you think has been uttered in a symposial context (entertainment after a banquet) and which in a religious context?
a.- Cleobulina's enigma: "With its paw and hoof, a dead donkey hit my ear." The answer would be the flute, since the donkey, despite being the roughest animal, offers the most delicate and harmonious bone for the creation of the instrument.
b.- Oracle of Delphi: The King Croesus of Lydia, who had asked about the war against the Persians, received the following response from the oracle: "If Croesus crosses the river Halis, a great kingdom will fall." Croesus interpreted it as the destruction of Persia and led his army across the river. The kingdom that fell was his, conquered in 546 BC by Cyrus II the Great.
2. Look at the map and write down the name of the sanctuaries that had an oracular function, as well as the name of the god to which they were dedicated.
3.- Which god was most linked to divination?
4.- Look for information and write a short story about Apollo's relationship with the island of Delos, and another one about his relationship with the sanctuary of Delphi.
5.- In ancient times, countless sport competitions were held, but the most important were the Olympic Games, the Pythian, the Isthmian and the Nemean. Look at the map and indicate where they were celebrated and in honor of which god.
Observations and context
During the archaic period and alongside Sappho, as initiators of a feminine lyric tradition that lived up to Roman times, we find Phemonoe, Damophyle, Charixene, the Spartans Hagesichora, Megalostrata and Mia, who sang partenii, Cleobulina, writer of riddles, and the bucolic poetess Eriphanis.
Description
Reading and commentary on two epigrams, location of the main oracles and approach to the figure of Apollo.