In the Archaic period the Dephic oracle was closely bound up with three areas characteristic of the social and economic evolution of Hellenic society: colonization, social reform, and tyranny.

Apollo played the role of interpreter of the gods' will, and the Hellenes had recourse to him whenever they were looking for a solution for a serious problem of theirs. They always consulted him before undertaking the founding of a colony. The oracle was given to the founder in person. At the same time it was accompanied by a power of attorney that concentrated in the founder's person various functions such as those of king, religious leader, military leader, and lawgiver. Normally the oracle would define the place where the colony should be founded and the most suitable season for the undertaking.

Throughout the Archaic period the Delphic oracle was actively and steadily involved in sociopolitical changes, particularly in those that had to do with social organization. Sparta maintained very close relations with the oracle. For all the doubts that exist today in relation to the person of Lycurgus and the reforms attributed to him, it is certain that even in the days of Tyrtaeus the role of Delphi in these profound changes was seen as certain and important. Again, Solon at Athens worked with the oracle on at least one of his reforms. In order to break the religious monopoly of the aristocracy, he founded the body of the Pythochrestai. These were exegetes who did not necessarily belong to the eupatrids and gave opinion on cult matters. They were selected "by Apollo", on the basis of a selective list given to the Pythia. By Cleisthenes' reforms, there were elected in a similar way by the Pythia, from among one hundred archegetai, the ten eponymous ones, one for each tribe. The oracle also continued to monitor colonies even after their foundation. In case of social crisis particularly, it proposed some person as judge to mediate so as to restore order. Such was the case of Demonax of Mantinea, for instance, who was sent to Cyrene as katartister (mediating judge).

The relations of Delphi with tyranny were of a distinctive kind, as in many cases they supported the tyrants. Herodotus gives us a typical story in connection with the oracle's prophecy for Cypselus, as intending tyrant of Corinth. Cylon at Athens (though unsuccessful) received support of the same sort, as did the Orthagoridae at Sicyon. Moreover, Periander of Corinth and Pittacus, mentioned as tyrant of Mytilene by Alcaeus, were among the Seven Sages of antiquity, and were connected, in some versions, with the Delphic shrine. But once tyranny had fulfilled its role, and no longer answered to the growing needs of the middle and lower strata, Delphi was not slow to come out against it. This is indicated by the oracle's stand on the later Pisistratid tyranny: it supported the Alcmaeonids - the family that was their foe par excellence; incessantly incited the Spartans to overthrow the Athenian tyranny; and assisted Cleisthenes and the smooth passage from tyranny to democracy.

The Delphic oracle was at the height of its power and influence from the 8th to the 6th century B.C. The oftener people addressed themsleves to it for advice or information, the more its detailed knowledge increased about matters of geography, political equilibrium, and social tension. Successful colonization expanded its influence and reputation and strenghtened its leading position as a Panhellenic shrine. Furthermore, both colonies and tyrants of various cities enriched the shrine by dedications and sacred embassies. Conservative it may have been in matters of cult and religion, but the oracle almost always supported the changes imposed by social needs. Apollo's holy authority was linked with cities' legislature, and Delphi took on the role of guarantor of social calm. Seen in this light, it is not too much to claim that Delphi was indeed the navel of Archaic society, and a decisive agent in the solution of many of the crises that shook it.