Pythia
/ˈpɪθ.i.ə/noun
The priestess of the Oracle of Delphi in ancient Greece.
Did you know?Pythia delivered her prophecies while in a trance, often induced by vapors from a chasm, linking her to ancient notions of divine madness and inspiration.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Πυθία
“The title for the priestess of Apollo at Delphi, associated with the god of prophecy.”
Classical Antiquity
Greek
Πυθώ
“The name of the site of Delphi, originally a sanctuary of Gaia, indicating a sacred location.”
Hellenistic Period
Greek
Πυθικός
“Relating to the Oracle, encompassing the prophetic traditions and rites of the Pythia.”
Modern English
English
Pythia
“The adopted name in English referring to the prophetic priestess, retaining its mystical connotations.”
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