Source of Law
Source of Government
In Punitive Process:
Delphi & Herakles
Delphi & Orestes
Sources for Orestes
Delphi & Common Man
Homicide & Today
Bibliography
Delphi and Punitive Process
The Delphic Oracle was also sought out when a crime was committed and there was confusion over the punishment. Not surprisingly, the crime of murder caused many to seek out the oracle for assistance. Delphi was a special target since it was the best known sanctuary of Apollo, who had a special role in the rituals that had to be observed following bloodshed. Since he and his sister Artemis had to undergo them after they killed Python. (In Pausanius 1.43 & 2.30.3).
The rituals that were observed following bloodshed are described in great detail in Plato's Laws, but in general, once an act of murder is committed, intentional or otherwise, it becomes the duty of the family of the victim to avenge the loss of their kinsman. This was accomplished by obtaining compensation in the form of blood or financial retribution. If the family failed to prosecute, the role fell to the state, but the next of kin was then polluted. The murderer was also polluted, and besides a sentence of exile, which served to prevent further pollution to the home city of the murderer, the murderer had to undergo purification by a priest of Apollo, so that the murderer would not bring pollution to any city which offered him shelter. Hence, Delphi, as a sanctuary of Apollo was commonly sought for purification and the oracle was also consulted when there was a difficulty with the purification process.
Delphi and Herakles
The purification of Herakles is an example of such a difficulty. As described in Apollodorus, Herakles had committed one of his many murders, and went to the oracle for advice since had been purified, but was still suffering from a disease. When the oracle was not forthcoming, Herakles tried to steal the tripod. After a struggle with Apollo, he eventually received an oracle that instructed him to be sold into slavery for 3 years and pay compensation in order to cure the disease. This occurred after the the infamous labors of Herakles, which represented a different instance of Herakles doing restitution for committing murder.