September 4, 2017

An oracle was a priest or prophet in the ancient Greek world. People visited oracles to ask for advice about the future. People believed that oracles could consult the gods on their behalf and then interpret and pass along the gods’ answers. Visitors consulted oracles at a shrine, which was also called an oracle. The oracle’s answer to a question was called an oracle as well.

Delphi, Greece, was home to the famous Delphic oracle and a religious complex that included the Temple of Apollo and the Sanctuary of Athena, seen here. Credit: © Peter Lazzarino, Shutterstock

There were many oracles in ancient Greece. They enjoyed a reputation for always being right when they answered questions about the future. The reason they always appeared to be accurate is that their responses were generally ambiguous or obscure—they could be interpreted as correct, no matter what actually happened. People consulted an oracle both on personal and public matters. An oracle’s pronouncements often influenced affairs of state and were considered the final answer in matters of religion.

Oracles became famous throughout the Greek world in the 600’s and 500’s B.C. The most famous ancient oracle was the oracle of the god Apollo at Delphi on the slope of Mount Parnassus. It was built around a sacred spring. The Delphic oracle there was a woman known as the Pythia. She sat on a tripod (three-legged stool) in a dreamlike trance. Her responses were understood only by a priest, who interpreted them for visitors. People came from miles around to consult the Delphic oracle. Farmers wanted to know the best time to plant their seeds. Generals asked whether their military campaigns would succeed. It was not unusual for long lines of anxious questioners to form around her. Many people brought gifts to ensure favorable answers. Because of its importance, Delphi became known as the omphalos (belly button, or center) of the ancient world.

Although most oracles were dedicated to Apollo, some were dedicated to Zeus or another Greek deity. One famous oracle of Zeus was in a grove of oak trees in Dodona in northwestern Greece. The people believed that Zeus spoke through the rustling of the oak leaves. The priests interpreted these rustlings as messages from the god. Outside of Greece, important oracles were in Italy, Libya, and Syria.