Athenian Treasury of Delphi

Ancient Greek Mythology, Religion, Art

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The Delphic Oracle supposedly derived the ability to tell the future because of the Sacred Spring which emitted vapors. The role of Oracle was filled by women, usually called Pythia (probably a reference to the legend of Apollo killing a dragon named Pytho here), and the first was named Sibyl around the 7th century BCE. Thereafter every Oracle was named Sibyl and sat on the Sibylline Rock to breathe in the vapors that allowed her to make her predications.

Before every oracle, the petitioner first had to ritually purify themselves. Then some cold water would be sprinkled upon a goat - if it shivered, the signs were right that it could be sacrificed to Apollo for an oracle. The petitioner would then pay the required fee and wait to hear what the oracle had to say. The actual answer from the Pythia was normally incoherent babbling. This, in turn, had to be interpreted by a priest.

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