Delphic Sibyl, prophetess who pronounces oracles. Diodorus of Sicily, [1] Dionysius of Halicarnassus, [2] Plutarch [3] and Pausanias, [4] represent her as a female wanderer, who went from country to country delivering her predictions. She was at the same time the sibyl of Delphi, of Eritrea, of Babylon, of Cumae [5] and of many other places. Several peoples disputed the honor of having her as a citizen. She herself, in one of her oracles that we yet have, pronounced herself the daughter of a mortal father, and of an immortal mother. One must not however confuse her with Pythia, [6] because she prophesized without the help of emanations coming from the cave of Delphi, and she never mounted the sacred tripod. Incidentally, the true Pythia never left the temple of Apollo, since the time she had been consecrated to that god. The sibyl in contrast, was foreign, and always errant. See Pythia.

1. Diodorus of Sicily was a Greek historian from Sicily who wrote the Library of History, working around 30-60 B.C.

2. Dionysius of Halicarnassus was a Greek writer from the ancient city Halicarnassus who wrote Roman Antiquities. His work covers literature, rhetoric and history and dates to the period c.60-7 BCE.

3. Plutarch was a Greek historian, biographer and philosopher (46 – c.120 CE). His most famous works include Parallel Lives and Moralia.

4. Most likely a reference to Pausanias, the Greek travel writer and historian (110 – c.180 BC) who wrote Description of Greece ( Periegesis Hellados ).

5. Delphi, Eritrea, Babylon and Cumae were located around the Mediterranean and the Red Seas.

6. Also known as the Oracle of Delphi, Pythia was a priestess of Apollo whose oracles were said to come directly from the god.