Reflections above the Omphalos at Delphi

As a pupil I received books from my parents for name-days.

They were usually humanistic, illustrated publications
at an ambitious editorial level.
One year I received a collection of Greek myths,
polished in a literary manner to the level of the fairy tale by N. Hawthorne.

One of the best stories was the one describing the actions of Cadmus,
the first Greek hero. Inspired by Delphi he founded Thebes in Boeotia,
but before that he defeated the dragon guarding the local source.

From the teeth of the reptile, which Cadmus had sowed

(with the advice of Athena), the armed warriors grew out.
Cadmus allowed the descendants of the dragon to fight each other -
and used the remaining few of them for further strategic purposes.
That's how Cadmea was created - where today is a modern
and not yet promoted museum with rare exhibits.

Strolling there not so long ago in the analytical mood of the researcher,
I still had an earlier visit to Delphi in my memory.
Turning to the metaphorical level: Apollo also applied
the later Cadmus method. He defeated the archaic creature
and took over its competences.

MMXVIII