Oracle (mythology)
In ancient mythology, oracles held significant power as prophetic figures, predominantly female, known as priestesses or prophetesses. They were believed to communicate with deities and spirits, providing guidance to military and political leaders seeking to make important decisions. Among the various oracles throughout history, the Greek oracle of Apollo at Delphi is the most renowned. The oracle functioned through a priestess known as the Pythia, who would enter an altered state of consciousness to deliver prophecies, often in ambiguous or riddle-like forms. The famous sibyls, Greco-Roman oracles, also played a vital role, with legends recounting their consultations and prophecies, including notable tales involving the Cumaean Sibyl.
The Oracle at Delphi gained prominence after successfully predicting a king's private actions, which solidified its reputation as a true oracle. However, its influence waned following an earthquake around 362 BCE and the advent of Christianity, which further diminished the significance of oracles in society. Their practices and legacies remain a fascinating aspect of ancient culture, reflecting a time when divine communication was sought for guidance in both personal and communal matters.
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Oracle (mythology)
Oracles were powerful people in the ancient world. It was believed that oracles—who were always female and regarded as prophetesses or priestesses—could communicate with spirits and a variety of deities. Oracles were commonly consulted by military and political leaders before making important decisions. While many oracles were found throughout the world, the most famous was the Greek oracle of Apollo at Delphi.
The Sibyls
The sibyls were famous Greco-Roman oracles. Several sibyls were located at historically important places throughout the world. They belonged to a variety of cultures, and claimed to be prophets for a range of gods and goddesses. Sibyls’ prophecies were often told in the form of riddles, verses, or ambiguous statements.
Sibyls are featured in a number of well-known myths and legends. In one of these, a sibyl collected the wisdom and prophecies of all the known oracles and compiled them into nine books. She visited Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, the last Roman king, and offered to sell him the books for an incredibly high price. Failing to realize who the elderly woman was, the king refused. The sibyl burned three of the books, then asked for the same price. The king refused again. The sibyl burned three more books, and asked again. The king bought the books, if only to save the knowledge contained within.
While scholars believe this account of the king and sibyl is fictional, valid historic records state that the books of prophecies actually existed. They were stored in the temple of Jupiter in Rome, and only read by a select few priests in times of great crisis. They were damaged when the temple of Jupiter burned down in 83 BCE, and intentionally burned as pagan artifacts by the Christian Roman general Flavius Stilicho (365 CE–408 CE) hundreds of years later.
The Cumaean Sibyl was the most famous sibyl. According to legend, the Greek god Apollo offered the sibyl any wish in exchange for her virginity. The sibyl responded by picking up a handful of sand and demanding she have a birthday for every grain she held. Apollo granted her wish, but the sibyl still refused the god’s advances. In response, Apollo allowed her to keep her extremely long life, but without eternal youth. She continued to grow more old and frail, until all the sybil could do was speak. The townspeople eventually placed the sibyl on display in a basket in the center of town. Hundreds of years later, when several children asked the sibyl what she wanted more than anything else, the sibyl responded that she wished to be allowed to die.
The Cumaean Sibyl’s cave, a large, ornate, underground complex described by various ancient writers, has been found near Naples, Italy. The place has been excavated, and is popular among tourists.
The Oracle at Delphi
The Greek oracle of Apollo at Delphi was the most famous oracle of the ancient world. According to Greek myths, the oracle at Delphi was founded when ancient shepherds noticed that their sheep would bleat strangely when in the area, and that men would rant in odd voices and languages. A sanctuary to the Gaia, the goddess of the Earth, was built there. From that point on, priestesses located in the temple would give prophecies from the sacred chamber in the temple.
At one point, the Greek god Apollo conquered the sanctuary at Delphi, slaying the dragon Python and taking control of the oracle away from Gaia. However, while the temple was primarily dedicated to Apollo, some Greeks continued to revere the earth goddess at the temple. In payment for killing Python, it was said that Apollo sponsored the annual Pythian games at Delphi.
Prophecies at Delphi were given by a woman called the Pythia. A new Pythia was chosen from the temples priestesses upon the death of the old one. The Pythia would sit in an underground, enclosed chamber until she entered an altered state of consciousness. At this point, the priests would bring the Pythia questions. She would rant and rave in the voice of Apollo, and the priests would report her answer.
The oracle at Delphi became the most famous oracle in the ancient world for a very specific, correct prophecy. An ancient king wondered whether any of the oracles in the world were truly as powerful as they claimed. The king sent emissaries to all the most famous oracles, who asked the oracles what the king was doing on the day they arrived. The king kept a very specific journal, and would check the emissaries’ reports against the journal. The oracle at Delphi reported a vision of a brass pot with a brass lid over a fire, steam, and the smell of turtles. According to his journal, the King had been eating turtle soup on that day. The king decreed that the Pythia was the only oracle to successfully complete his challenge, and thus was the only true oracle of the time.
After that day, the oracle at Delphi became extremely popular. The Pythia’s advice was heeded by everyone from common shepherds to generals and kings. The wealthy would bring expensive gifts to obtain their prophecies first. Wealth, coupled with the influence of her words, made the Pythia one of the most powerful people in the ancient world.
Scientists and archaeologists have discovered fault lines below the temple at Delphi. Analysis has shown that ethylene, a sweet-smelling gas, might have filled the temple chamber and could have caused anyone there to enter a trance state. The oracle at Delphi's final message was shared in 362 BCE, after an earthquake damaged the temple and probably sealed the fissures that allowed the gas to enter the chamber. This marked the end of the Pythia's power in the ancient world. The rise of Christianity further eroded the oracles' influence.
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