Temple of Apollo, Didim 1890s

Following the grand and sacred festivals like the Didymeia and the intimate celebrations of the Kosmoi and Molpoi, Didyma also hosted the Anoigmoi festival, a lesser-known but equally meaningful event. Though it lacks the prominence of its counterparts, the Anoigmoi offers a fascinating glimpse into the community’s dedication to fostering...

The Oracle of Didyma, was one of the most renowned ancient oracles in the world, also known as the “Didymaion,”. This sacred site, located near the coastal town of Didim on the Aegean coast of Turkey, was dedicated to Apollo, the Greek god of prophecy and light. The Oracle of...

Introduction Following on from my last blog about Didim, I am now imparting information about Didim, not only as a stunning coastal town on the Aegean coast of Turkey, but a town also known in ancient times as Didyma, and dating back to BC 500, although there are traces of...

Apollo, a significant figure in both Greek and Roman mythologies, is a fascinating deity with manifold functions and roles. This blog post explores the various aspects of Apollo in these two ancient cultures. Apollo in Greek Mythology In Greek mythology, Apollo is one of the Olympian deities and is recognized...

Hello, dear readers! Anyone who knows me is aware of my deep interest in mythology, and it’s both enjoyable and intriguing to connect this passion with my profession. Exploring the connection between architecture and mythology has always fascinated me. The beliefs of people are one of the key elements that...

Temple of Apollo/Didim, 1911 (Photo: Eski Türkiye Fotoğrafları Arşivi) A headband, tie, or forehead band is worn around the head. It is believed that the words dedem (meaning “crown” in Sogdian), didem (in Pahlavi and Parthian) originated from the Ancient Greek verb diadima, which means “to tie around.” In relation to this, it was called diademme in...