Editing Corycian Cave (section)

== As a sanctuary space ==

=== History of use ===
The earliest evidence of human inhabitance in Corycian Cave dates back to the Neolithic period—around 4000 years BCE.<ref name="Liritzis 219–232">{{Cite journal|last1=Liritzis|first1=Ioannis|last2=Aravantinos|first2=Vassilios|last3=Polymeris|first3=George S.|last4=Zacharias|first4=Nikolaos|last5=Fappas|first5=Ioannis|last6=Agiamarniotis|first6=George|last7=Sfampa|first7=Ioanna K.|last8=Vafiadou|first8=Asimina|last9=Kitis|first9=George|date=2015-04-01|title=Witnessing prehistoric Delphi by luminescence dating|journal=Comptes Rendus Palevol|language=en|volume=14|issue=3|pages=219–232|doi=10.1016/j.crpv.2014.12.007 |doi-access=free}}</ref> Corycian Cave was used off and on over the course of history rather than continuously. Some of the earliest evidence of worship at Corycian Cave is from hunters and shepherds during the later Neolithic period.<ref name="McInerney pp 263–283">McInerney (1997), pp. 263–283.</ref> During the Greek-Persian Wars (499–448 BCE), the inhabitants of ancient Delphi used Corycian Cave as a place to hide from Persian invaders.<ref name="McInerney pp 263–283"/>
[[File:La_grotte_du_Cirque_1.JPG|thumb|Interior of cave similar to Corycian Cave where cultic worship would have occurred.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Parnassus and the Corycian Cave - Archaeological Site of Delphi|url=https://delphi.culture.gr/parnassos/|access-date=2021-12-14|language=en-US}}</ref>|253x253px]]

=== Worshiper demographics ===
Archeological evidence from Corycian Cave suggests that the majority of worshipers were humble, ordinary people rather than wealthy or powerful people.<ref name=":02">{{Cite journal|last=Larson|first=Jennifer|date=1995|title=The Corycian nymphs and the bee maidens of the Homeric Hymn to Hermes|url=https://grbs.library.duke.edu/article/viewFile/2961/5819|journal=Greek, Roman and Byzantine Studies|volume=36|pages=341–357|via=Duke University Libraries}}</ref> Many of the worshipers at Corycian Cave are thought to have been shepherds or hunters who lived and worked around Mount Parnassus.<ref name=":72">{{Cite journal|last=Volioti|first=Katerina|date=2011-10-30|title=Travel tokens to the Korykian Cave near Delphi: Perspectives from material and human mobility|url=https://journals.openedition.org/pallas/2188|journal=Pallas |language=en|volume=86|issue=86 |pages=263–285|doi=10.4000/pallas.2188 |doi-access=free}}</ref> There is also evidence of women and children worshipping at Corycian Cave. Corycian Cave was also popular among worshipers belonging to the cult of Pan due to the cave's mythological associations with the god. Most votives left inside Corycian Cave by worshipers were made of clay or bone.<ref name=":72"/> The major city of ancient Delphi was in relatively close proximity to Corycian Cave. As a result, those who traveled from other places to see the monuments of Delphi would occasionally stop by Corycian Cave and leave small votives.<ref name=":72"/>

=== Worshiper experience ===
The ancient geographer Pomponius Mela referenced his experience at Corycian Cave in his writing. An article by George C. Boon referencing Mela's work reads," 'It terrifies those entering by the sound of cymbals clashing by divine agency and with a great din…Within is a space greater than anyone has ventured to cross, so dreadful it is, and on that account is unknown.' "<ref name=":13"/> Mela's work, as referenced by Boon, suggests that worshipers visiting Corycian Cave may feel fear due to the loud noises, darkness, and vastness of the space.<ref name=":13" /> Worshipers also would have seen water dripping from the ceiling and oozing out of the ground, which gave Corycian Cave a sparkling appearance in areas where light was present.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Bowe|first=Patrick|date=2013–2014|title=The garden grotto: its origin in the ancient Greek perception of the natural cave|url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/14601176.2013.807077 |journal=Studies in the History of Gardens & Designed Landscapes|volume=33|issue=2|page=128|doi=10.1080/14601176.2013.807077|s2cid=161376375 }}</ref> Ancient worshipers also believed that an inner cavern of Corycian Cave was the home of the mythological monster Typhon. A shrine to Poseidon was located near the entrance to Typhon's lair, and worshipers felt that this would prevent the monster from escaping and wreaking havoc.<ref name=":13" /> Aside from feelings of fear, Mela also described Corycian Cave as feeling very impressive and awe inspiring. There were also reports of smoke being seen coming out of Corycian Cave, which led worshipers to believe that the cave indeed housed some deities.<ref name=":13" />