Pythia | Greek religion (2024)

In oracle

…of 50, known as the Pythia, who lived apart from her husband and dressed in a maiden’s clothes. Though the oracle, at first called Pytho, was known to Homer and was the site of a Mycenaean settlement, its fame did not become Panhellenic until the 7th and 6th centuries bce,…

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Pythia

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Greek religion

Also known as: Pytho

Learn about this topic in these articles:

role as medium for oracle of Delphi

  • In ecstasy

    The Pythia (priestess) of the oracle at Delphi often went into an ecstatic state during which she uttered sounds revealed to her by the Greek god Apollo. Her “words” were then interpreted by a priest to help a suppliant find a way to avoid calamities, especially…

    Read More
  • Pythia | Greek religion (8)

    In oracle

    …of 50, known as the Pythia, who lived apart from her husband and dressed in a maiden’s clothes. Though the oracle, at first called Pytho, was known to Homer and was the site of a Mycenaean settlement, its fame did not become Panhellenic until the 7th and 6th centuries bce,…

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Pythia | Greek religion (2024)

FAQs

Pythia | Greek religion? ›

The Pythia

Pythia
Pythia (/ˈpɪθiə/; Ancient Greek: Πυθία [pyːˈtʰíaː]) was the name of the high priestess of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi. She specifically served as its oracle and was known as the Oracle of Delphi. Her title was also historically glossed in English as the Pythoness.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Pythia
(or Oracle of Delphi) was the priestess who held court at Pytho, the sanctuary of the Delphinians, a sanctuary dedicated to the Greek god Apollo
Apollo
Apollo has been recognized as a god of archery, music and dance, truth and prophecy, healing and diseases, the Sun and light, poetry, and more. One of the most important and complex of the Greek gods, he is the son of Zeus and Leto, and the twin brother of Artemis, goddess of the hunt.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Apollo
. Pythia were highly regarded, for it was believed that she channeled prophecies from Apollo himself, while steeped in a dreamlike trance.

What is Pythia the god of? ›

Pythia (/ˈpɪθiə/; Ancient Greek: Πυθία [pyːˈtʰíaː]) was the name of the high priestess of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi. She specifically served as its oracle and was known as the Oracle of Delphi. Her title was also historically glossed in English as the Pythoness.

What was the religion of Delphi? ›

Delphi was an ancient religious sanctuary dedicated to the Greek god Apollo. Developed in the 8th century B.C., the sanctuary was home to the Oracle of Delphi and the priestess Pythia, who was famed throughout the ancient world for divining the future and was consulted before all major undertakings.

What was the religion of the ancient Athens? ›

Ancient Greek theology was polytheistic, based on the assumption that there were many gods and goddesses, as well as a range of lesser supernatural beings of various types.

What religion is the Greek pantheon? ›

Hellenism is, in practice, primarily centered around polytheistic and animistic worship. Devotees worship the Greek gods, which include Twelve Olympians, divinities and spirits of nature (such as nymphs), underworld deities (chthonic gods) and heroes.

What does oracle mean spiritually? ›

An oracle is a person or thing considered to provide insight, wise counsel or prophetic predictions, most notably including precognition of the future, inspired by deities.

What are Pythias powers? ›

List of Powers / Abilities. Time Travel: It is believed that the Pythia experiences all times at once, instead of traveling only in one direction as everyone else does. Pythia can stop time. Pythia can learn how to manipulate her spirit-form to look any way she wants after a while.

Why was Pythia a woman? ›

Delphi's history was complex but ancient sources viewed both Gaia, the Mother Goddess, and Themis, goddess of law and order, as early occupants of the site. Both were archaic female deities and this may account for the corresponding gender of the female Pythia.

What is the spiritual significance of Delphi? ›

Spiritual and Religious Significance: Delphi was considered one of the most sacred places in ancient Greece. It was associated with the worship of Apollo, the god of prophecy, music, and healing. The temple served as a place of worship and pilgrimage for ancient Greeks and played a central role in religious rituals.

Which god did the Oracle of Delphi speak to? ›

They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Delphic oracle, most famous ancient oracle, believed to deliver prophecies from the Greek god Apollo. She was based in his temple at Delphi, located on the slopes of Mt. Parnassus above the Corinthian Gulf.

What is the oldest religion? ›

Hinduism (/ˈhɪnduˌɪzəm/) is an Indian religion or dharma, a religious and universal order by which its followers abide. The word Hindu is an exonym, and while Hinduism has been called the oldest religion in the world, it has also been described as sanātana dharma (Sanskrit: सनातन धर्म, lit.

Is Hellenism still practiced today? ›

These are stories of ancient values and modern innovations. Hellenism is alive today in each of us — whether we have Greek ancestors or not.

Is Greek mythology older than Christianity? ›

Yes, Greek and Roman mythology formed long before Christianity. Christianity first developed in the 1st century AD. Greek mythology predates this time period by well over 1,000 years. In fact, it is probably much older than the Greek writing system, so we don't know exactly when it began to form.

Is Hellenism a pagan religion? ›

Hellenism, whether centred on contemporary or ancient Paganism, is characterised by its veneration of the Gods of the Hellenic world, honouring them by means of prayers, hymns, offerings and rituals.

What was the religion in Sparta? ›

Greek polytheism

What religion believes in Valhalla? ›

Valhalla is mentioned in euhemerized form and as an element of remaining Norse pagan belief in Heimskringla.

What is another name for Pythia? ›

What is another word for Pythia?
sibylseer
prognosticatororacle
prophesierprophetess
forecastermedium
foretellerharuspex
44 more rows

What is a female oracle called? ›

The sibyls (αἱ Σῐ́βυλλαι, singular Σῐ́βυλλᾰ) were prophetesses or oracles in Ancient Greece. Statue in the Temple of Zeus at Aizanoi, believed to depict a sibyl. The sibyls prophesied at holy sites.

Which God's voice did the Pythia speak? ›

The Greeks thought that it was the god Apollo who conveyed his superior divine knowledge through the mouth of the Pythia, so the priestess herself was largely beyond reproach.

What god did Megara worship? ›

Megara worshipped Apollo as their patron god, and as such, he is lauded by the poet Theognis of Megara in his collection of works Theognidea as guardian of the city. The polis of Argos was dedicated to the worship of Hera. The island city-state of Samos, in the Aegean Sea, worshipped Hera too as their patron.

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