 Python, sometimes written Phython, presided at the Delphic oracle, which existed in the cult center for its mother, Gaia, "Earth," Pytho being the place name that was substituted for the earlier "Krisa".Greeks considered the site to be the center of the earth, represented by a stone, the "omphalos" or navel, which Python guarded.Python became the chthonic enemy of the later Olympian deity Apollo, who slew it and took over Python's former home and oracle.