1-153-039 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

Spartans asking the Oracle at Delphi whether to make war against Athens, c431 BC (1910). 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. The Peloponnesian War was fought between between Athens and Sparta and their respective allies in 431-404 BC).