In ancient Greece, the Delphic Oracle was consulted in real life and mythology to make prophecies and for imortant decisions.
In the context of ancient history, a tripod refers to a seat.
Delphi is best known as the home of the Delphic Oracle or the Pythia, a priestess of Apollo. The traditional picture is of the Pythia, in an altered state, muttering words inspired by the god, which male priests transcribed. The Pythia sat on a great bronze tripod in a spot above a crevice in rocks from which vapors rose. Before sitting, she burned laurel leaves and barley meal on the altar.
Apollo's Pythian priestess had to be celibate for life. 9 months of the year she gave prophecies on 1 day. 600 hexameters survive of her oracles.
The Oracle at Delphi was an ancient power center for over 1000 years. New geologic evidence points to the existence of a narcotic gas that could have caused trances.
A look at the temple complex at Delphi, including physical description, a map showing the location of Delphi, a picture of the tripod, a sculptur e of a sleeping oracle, and Delphi's legendary and verificable history.
List of oracular responses from 800 to 700 B.C.
