---
title: Pythia
author: Gabriel Despres Jones
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Pythia/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 2022-10-25
---
# Pythia
_Authored by [Gabriel Despres Jones](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/GHJones/)_
The Pythia (or Oracle of [Delphi](https://www.worldhistory.org/delphi/)) was the priestess who held court at Pytho, the sanctuary of the Delphinians, a sanctuary dedicated to the [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) [Apollo](https://www.worldhistory.org/apollo/). Pythia were highly regarded, for it was believed that she channeled prophecies from Apollo himself, while steeped in a dreamlike trance. Originally the god was channeled only once a year, but at the height of its popularity up to three Pythiai were known to hold office. The sanctuary at Delphi was constructed in the 8th century BCE, and the final prophecy given around 393 CE, after the [Roman emperor](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Emperor/) Theodosius ordered the closure of all pagan sanctuaries.
A Pythia was chosen among the priestesses of the [temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) upon the [death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/) of the previous Pythia. Moral character was of utmost importance, and even if the newly-chosen Pythia was married and had a family, she had to relinquish all familial duties in order to fill her role in the temple. Pythias were likely [women](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/women/) from higher-class families, were educated, and well-read.
The practice of interpreting the word of Apollo entailed that the Pythia bathe in the Castalian Spring, which was followed by the sacrifice of a goat. She then descended into a special chamber called an *adyton* beneath the temple which was fumigated with barley meal and laurel leaves on a burning *[hestia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hestia/).* There, at the temple center, the Omphalos, she sat on a covered tripod cauldron over a deep well-like chasm. Seated in this way, enveloped by vapors while shaking bay branches, the Pythia would fall into a trance state and channel the god. In this way did the Pythia pronounce judgment and prophecy to those in attendance. Those seeking the counsel of Apollo and his priestess would bring offerings of laurel branches, gifts of money, and a sacrifice of a black ram.
[  Omphalos of Delphi Mark Cartwright (CC BY-NC-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/414/omphalos-of-delphi/ "Omphalos of Delphi")
It is a [Hellenic](https://www.worldhistory.org/greece/) tradition that the Pythia entered her trance through the influence of volcanic fumes or hallucinogenic gases emerging from a crevice in the floor of the Castalian Spring. Although the sanctuary lies directly above two geological fault lines and the spring near the sanctuary contains ethylene, which can provoke hallucinations, there has been no conclusive determination on whether the trance states of the Pythiai were induced through exposure or was self-induced.
#### Editorial Review
This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).
## Bibliography
- [Burkert, W. *Greek Religion.* Wiley-Blackwell, 1991, 116-117.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0631156240/)
## About the Author
Gabriel Despres Jones is a curator, archaeologist and scholar of religion with a field focus on religious migration and material culture. He divides his time between writing and working as a museum professional.
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/gabrieldespresjones/)
## Timeline
- **c. 800 BCE**: The site of [Delphi](https://www.worldhistory.org/delphi/) first acquires a religious significance.
- **560 BCE**: The oracles of [Delphi](https://www.worldhistory.org/delphi/) and [Thebes](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Thebes/) both tell King [Croesus](https://www.worldhistory.org/croesus/) of [Lydia](https://www.worldhistory.org/lydia/) that if he attacks the [Medes](https://www.worldhistory.org/Medes/), he will destroy a great [empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/). Seeing this as a good omen, he goes to [war](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/), loses, and the Lydian Empire is destroyed.
- **393 CE**: Last prophecy of the Oracle of [Apollo](https://www.worldhistory.org/apollo/) at [Delphi](https://www.worldhistory.org/delphi/), after [Roman Emperor](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Emperor/) Theodosius ordered the closure of all "pagan" sanctuaries.
## External Links
- [Pythia, The Oracle of Delphi: Gifted Fortune Teller Or User of Hallucinogenics?](https://allthatsinteresting.com/oracle-of-delphi-pythia)
## Cite This Work
### APA
Jones, G. D. (2013, August 30). Pythia. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Jones, Gabriel Despres. "Pythia." *World History Encyclopedia*, August 30, 2013. .
### MLA
Jones, Gabriel Despres. "Pythia." *World History Encyclopedia*, 30 Aug 2013, .
## License & Copyright
Submitted by [Gabriel Despres Jones](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/GHJones/ "User Page: Gabriel Despres Jones"), published on 30 August 2013. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.