The other true place of divination

The most famous oracle from the ancient Greek world is, without a doubt, the Pythian oracle at Delphi. In Herodotus’ Histories, the primacy of the Delphic oracle is confirmed in a story about king Croesus of Lydia. Faced with the possibility of war with the growing Achaemenid Empire, Croesus turned to various oracles in order to determine whether he should go to war with them or not. He sent envoys throughout the eastern Mediterranean to determine which oracle was worth consulting. 100 days after leaving, they were told to ask the oracles what Croesus was doing at that moment – boiling tortoise and lamb in a bronze cauldron – and bring back the responses. Upon learning that the Delphic oracle was correct, Croesus thought Delphi “the only true place of…

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Ancient History (Digital) - 1 Issue, AH 53

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