A religious confederation, Amphictyonic composed of representatives (Sacred Scribes) of twelve Greek tribes administered the sacred area and organized the Pythian Games and Delphic Festivals every four years with sacrifices a performance of the Sacred Drama (whose main theme was the duel between Apollo and Python), music contests, and paeans in honour of the god. The members of the Amphictyonic League met every spring and autumn to vote on decisions which were executed by the Senate. Worship at Delphi was headed by two priests of equal rank who were assisted by a series of free interpreters and sacred slaves. In the little town of Delphi about a thousand people lived in the vicinity of the Sanctuary, exploting the Oracle and the pilgrims in a variety of ways - selling knives for sacrifices or religious objects, exercising the professions of servant and inscription carver.

The prophecy ceremony: Whoever wished to consult the Oracle was obliged to pay a tax, the "telono", which gave him the right to approach the great altar of Apollo to offer sacrifices (boars, goats or bulls). Having purified herself in the water of the Kastalian Fountain, Pythia bent over the Navel of the Earth (the Sacred Stone), ate a laurel leaf and, inhaling the vapours emitted from the chasm, entered a state of ecstasy, uttering incoherent words. These were then composed into verses by the Priest, while the interpretes encleavoured to render some meaning out of the prophecy.

The priestesses of Apollo: In the beginning the Pythia were chosen from among the young women of Delphi. As time went on, for the priest to be certain of their virtue, they selected them from among women who had passed their fiftienth year.