Pythia

the prieste of Apollo at Delphi. She delivered the answers of the god, and was supposed to be suddenly inspired by the sulphureous vapours i uing from a subterraneous_cavity within the temple, over which she sat bare on a three-legged stool, called a tripod. At this divine inspiration, her eyes suddenly sparkled, her hair stood on end, and a shivering ran over all her body. In this convulsive state she spoke ' the oracles with lowd howlings, . The Pythia, before she placed herself on the tripod, | lle 08 used to wash her whole body, and particularly her hair, in the waters of the fountain Castalis, at the foot of mount Parna us. The Pythia appeared dre ed in the garments of virgins to intimate their purity, and they were bound to observe the strictest laws of chastity. There was originally but one Pythia, besides subordinate priests, and afterwards two were chosen and sometimes more. The most celebrated of all these is Phemonoe, who is supposed by some to have been the first who gave oracles at Delphi. The oracles were always delivered in hexameter verses, a custom which was sometime after discontinued. (See DELpHr ORACULUM.) 863