Delphi

Delphi was a city in Phocis. Delphi was famous for its oracle.

The area and the oracle used to belong or were sacred to Gaea (earth). Later, it was sacred to Themis, a Titaness, who then passed it to her sister Phoebe. Finally, Delphi was passed on from Phoebe to her grandson Apollo, the god of prophecy and the oracle. The oracle was handed over to Apollo when the god killed a giant serpent (dragon) called Python. Thereafter, each prophetess or high priestess of Delphi was called Pythia.

Many rulers and heroes sought the oracle about their futures, often about their kingdom or their adventures. However, it often foretold their deaths, which they tried to avoid, but the oracle always foretold true.

During the time of Heracles, the Pythia was Xenocleia.