1-153-038 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

'Consulting the Delphic Oracle', 19th century. Known as Pythia, or Sybil, the Priestess of the temple of Apollo at Delphi was the most famous Ancient Greek oracle. The position was only held by celibate woman over 50 whose words were delivered to supplicants in song. The predictions of the oracle of Delphi had great influence across the Greek world, and she was consulted before any great undertaking.