In a time when the women were offered few opportunities, the role of the Pythia stands out.
The priestess was at the centre of the ancient world and the most important figure in one of the most powerful religious institutions of the time.
She was one of the few overarching authorities in the ancient Greek world, a significant position in a time of competing city-states.
The Pythia was the name of the high-priestess of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi who served as the oracle, commonly known as the Oracle of Delphi.
The role of the Pythia was to provide advice on the trivial and not so trivial questions brought to her.
The role of Pythia was held by several women from the period 800 BCE to AD 390 and interestingly we know of some of their names, including Phemonoe and Aristonike.
Delphi became so busy at one period that three Pythias were appointed to serve the role simultaneously.
Consulted by some of the most powerful men of the ancient world, the Pythia was influential on a wide range of issues of both public and private interests: cult matters, political matters, warfare, the relationships between city-states and the foundation of new ones. The Pythia often spoke unwelcome truths to power.
For example, a Spartan once approached the Oracle intent on being named the wisest man in the world.
The Pythia, in response, named a wiser one. She was also influential in shaping military strategy, particularly during the Persian wars. Herodotus records, in his Histories, the ambiguity of a treaty given to Athens, in which the Pythia instructs Athenians to trust in wooden walls.
This was interpreted by the Athenians as instruction to build a strong navy (wooden ships) and thus, the Pythia’s words shaped a successful battle strategy that the Greeks utilized against the Persians. Past scholars have made efforts to deprive the priestess of her power.
They believed that a woman, especially one in the paternalistic society of ancient Greece, could not have held such an influential position. Some scholars have suggested that the Pythia spoke unintelligible babble that her words could only be understood when later translated by a male priest.
However, ancient literary evidence clearly indicates that the Pythia was the only source of the prophecies at Delphi.
Male priests are rarely mentioned, or when they are, it is in purely administrative and assisting roles. Given that Delphi was the omphalos of the ancient world, it is only fitting that the key position there was held by a woman.
