The struggle for the Delphic tripod -a historical approach to an iconographic motif

The struggle for the Delphic tripod is frequently depicted on Attic vases dated 550-450 BC. The author draws attention to the historical background of the 6th c. BC Greece and links these events to the origin and popularity of the motif. Prime event was a threat posed by Krisa to the Delphic oracle domination, which resulted in the First Sacred War. The second time was when the oracle leadership was endangered as Athens attempted to achieve domination and Delphi secured the assistance of Sparta to defeat Athens. Both wars influenced artists and the Delphic tripod struggle was shown as an allegory of Delphi’s struggle to maintain its hegemony. Possession of the tripod was perceived as acquiring a religious dominance. The author analyses textual and archaeological sources. For the research purpose a selection of Attic vases with the motif was created. Out of 223 vases, 87 had identified provenance and were included in the author’s selected catalogue. The analysis of the catalogue data and written contemporary sources leads the author to the conclusion that the popularity of the iconographic motif resulted from the Panhellenic role of the Delphic oracle and the conflicts with its opponents