Delphic Oracle

The Pythia was any priestess throughout history at the Temple of Apollo; the most powerful woman of the classical world. When one priestess died, another was chosen from a prominent family; she would give up all family responsibilities and surrender her identity. 

 

Apollo would speak to the oracle; she would pass the prediction to those who sought advice, although these predictions were often obscure or cryptic. 

 

People came from all over Greece and further afield to pay and seek advice from the oracle as she spoke for Apollo; there were often arguments about the correct interpretation of her predictions. 

 

A prediction was given each time a person paid, so, many predictions could be given to the same person if they were willing to continue to pay. 

 

The predictions of the Pythia made Delphi a very wealthy city-state.