Seminar 9 - Delphi (Oracles and shit) Flashcards
Herodotus - Croesus of Lydia’s experience with oracles
He wanted to test their wisdom. He sent men and inquite to them and write down their response. After consulting the oracles they said that Croesus should go to war with the Persians, and that his empire would last. However, Croesus invaded Cappadocia against the advice of the oracle.
Herodotus - Dorieus and oracles
He failed to consult the oracles about where to found his colony; he just angrily sailed straight to Libya. He found a colony near the river Cinyps.
Herodotus - emissaries from Athens and oracles
Emissaries visited Delphi, but the words of the oracles disheartened them. The doom foretold plunged them into despair. Timon of Delphi said they should go and visit te oracle of supplication. They did and got a better response. Two ideas about the response arose in Athens. The first being that it predicted the survival of the Acropolis. The other that the Athenians should abandon everything and build a fleet of ships.
Herodotus - People of Delphi an oracles
They consulted the oracles as they were worried for Greece as their forces went to war. Oracle said they should pray to the winds which would prove to be important allies to the Greeks.
Herodotus - the bones of Orestes
After the death of Lycurgus the Lacedaemonians questioned the oracles about Arcadia. The oracle refused. They then attacked Tegea but they were beaten. They went back to the Pythia and inquired who they should pray to for more luck. The Pythia said they should bring the bones of Orestes. However they could find them.
