PYTHIA (priestess of Apollo at Delphi)

When the Lacedaemonians harmed a suppliant at Ithome, the Pythia warned them of impending punishment.^1,8 She declared that Zeus ordained the outcome of the conflict and granted glory in war to those who set up tripods at Ithome.⁹ Her warnings extended to the fate of Messene, where she announced its impending destruction and stated she would no longer protect it when a he-goat drank from the Neda stream.^10,11,12 This prophecy, delivered to Aristomenes and Theoclus, indicated that the Messenians could not avoid their doom.^10,5

The Pythia also advised the ambassadors to retrieve the bones of Orestes to win against the Tegeans.^13,3 In another instance, she instructed the Delphians to kill Pyrrhus, the son of Achilles.¹⁴ She provided specific guidance to individuals, such as instructing Damagetus to marry the daughter of the bravest Greek man.¹⁵ She told the Cretans that Minos had punished them for aiding Menelaus, a response that caused the Cretans to refuse assistance to the Greeks.¹⁶

During Emperor Hadrian's reign, the Pythia responded to questions about Homer's identity and origin with a hexameter describing the poet's city and parentage.^17,18 She declared Socrates to be the wisest of men, while denying that title to Anacharsis.¹⁹ Her oracles included practical advice, such as instructing the natives of Astypalæa to breed dogs to hunt hares.²⁰ She also referred to Athens as the Hearth of Greece.²¹

Some claim the Pythia revealed the current Spartan political system to Lycurgus.²² She was once persuaded to deliver a specific prophecy requested by Cleomenes, and later declared that Demaratus was not the son of Ariston.^23,24 Ultimately, the Pythia was deposed from her position.²⁴