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For over 1,100 years, the Pythia at the Oracle of Delphi influenced politics, wars, and laws in the Ancient Greek world. Open to questions only nine days a year, the Pythia gave guidance to people from all across Greece, Asia Minor, and beyond.

Between 535 to 615 of the oracles have survived, and over half are said to be historically correct. Pericles, Xenophon (a friend of Socrates), and Emperor Hadrian consulted the Pythia, showing how these women were the greatest authority in Ancient Greece.

Come along with us as we explore the founding of the Oracle of Delphi, famous prophecies, and the Pythia's power through history and astrology in Olivia's birthday episode!

This episode contains mentions of rape & cannibalism.

Sources

Articles:

• “Apollo and the Pythia: the Oracle of Delphi” (https://tinyurl.com/wretu7df)
• “Delphic priestesses were the world’s first political risk consultants” (https://tinyurl.com/38d6wen8)
• "The excavations at Delphi" (https://tinyurl.com/bpbxp9b3)
• “The Oracle of Delphi: The Ancient Greek Fortuneteller” (https://tinyurl.com/mfpdtbr8)
• "What Lies Beneath: The Great Excavation Sacred Delphi" (https://tinyurl.com/5ufkx99z)

Books:

• The Astrology of Fate by Liz Green
• Delphi: a history of the center of the ancient world by Michael Scott
• Delphi and the Greek Warrior by Lauren O. Thyme
• Delphi: The History of the Ancient Greek Sanctuary and Home to the World's Most Famous Oracle by Charles River Editors and Andrew Scott
• “The Delphic Oracle” in Mythology Unbound: An Online Textbook for Classical Mythology (https://tinyurl.com/45bjxh2c)
• The Oracle: Ancient Delphi and the Science Behind Its Lost Secrets by William J. Broad
• “The Twelve Labors of Heracles” in Mythology Unbound: An Online Textbook for Classical Mythology (https://tinyurl.com/m97z52yp)

Primary Sources:

• The Histories by Herodotus, Translated by Andrea L. Purvis, Edited by Robert B. Strassler
• The Obsolescence of Oracles by Plutarch, Translated by F.C. Babbitt

Website:

• Archaeological Site of Delphi (https://tinyurl.com/v22kpxfr)
• Delphi Archaeological Museum (https://tinyurl.com/2dm34js7)
• Heracles and Apollo (https://tinyurl.com/3u2v472j)
• History of Delphi (https://tinyurl.com/5ufkx99z)
• The Oracle at Delphi (https://tinyurl.com/3r5dcebd)

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