Pythian Omphalos

Pythian Omphalos

The Pythian Omphalos is a mystical object that indicates the "navel of the world". The focus of the world periodically changes, which causes the Omphalos to relocate. The Pythian Academy has relocated to remain near the Omphalos.

Delphi Period (600 BC - 300 AD)

The oldest known records of the Pythian Omphalos begins in Delphi, where the Oracle was seated for many centuries. The Pythian Academy was present and involved in training the priestesses for the Oracle.

Alexandria Period (331 BC - 365 AD)

The founding of Alexandria in 331 BC by Alexander the Great drew the Pythian Omphalos. On July 21, 365 the Alexandria House was flooded in the tsunami ("Day of Horror"), which caused the Pythian Omphalos to vanish.

The Pergamon Schism

A splinter group fled Alexandria and relocated to Pergamon. With the fall of Pergamon in 133 BC, the decline of the library, and lack of an Omphalos stone, the group faded from history.

Ravenna Period (402 AD - 502 AD)

The Pythian Omphalos appeared in Ravenna in AD 402, when the capital of the Western Roman Empire was transferred from Milan to Ravenna. With the fall of Ravenna in 493, and the founding of the Ostrogothic Kingdom of Italy, the Pythian Omphalos vanished for many years.

Destruction of the Ravenna House (502 AD)

After the Battle of Verona (489), the Germanic King of Italy, Odoacer, was forced to flee to Ravenna. In the ensuing three-year siege, the Ravenna House was destroyed, causing the Pythian Omphalos to vanish for over one hundred years.

Ravenna House Mosaic

The remains of the Ravenna House are still present in the form of a mosaic in a subfloor of the Basilica of San Vitale. This mosaic is used to train Pythian Academy apprentices teleportation from the corresponding mosaic in Venice.

Venice Period (c.550 AD - 1572 AD)

Records are not clear, but the Pythian Omphalos was discovered c.550 in the marshes of what was to become Venice. By the time the Republic of Venice was founded in 697, the Pythian Academy was already well established, having guided the development of the city for over one hundred years.

Amsterdam Period (1572 - 1707)

After the discovery of the New World, the Pythian Omphalos relocated from Venice to Amsterdam.

London Period (1707 - 1890)

Formation of the Kingdom of Great Britain caused the Pythian Omphalos to relocate to London.

New York Period (1890 - 1960)

With the expansion of the United States, the Pythian Omphalos relocated to Manhattan.