<P> When the Prytanies' seat shines white in the island of Siphnos, White - browed all the forum--need then of a true seer's wisdom--Danger will threat from a wooden boat, and a herald in scarlet . </P> <P> The Pythia was the mouthpiece of the oracles of the god Apollo . </P> <P> The Pythia was not conceived to be infallible and in fact, according to Sourvinou - Inwood in What is Polis Religion?, the ancient Greeks were aware of this and concluded the unknowability of the divine . In this way, the' revelations' of the Oracles were not seen as' objective' truth (as they consulted many) (see: Hyp. 4 . 14 - 15). The Pythia only gave prophecies the seventh day of each month, seven being the number most associated with Apollo, during the nine warmer months of the year; thus, Delphi was the major source of divination for the ancient Greeks . Many wealthy individuals bypassed the hordes of people attempting a consultation by making additional animal sacrifices to please the oracle lest their request go unanswered . As a result, seers were the main source of everyday divination . </P> <P> The temple was changed to a centre for the worship of Apollo during the classical period of Greece and priests were added to the temple organization--although the tradition regarding prophecy remained unchanged--and the priestesses continued to provide the services of the oracle exclusively . It is from this institution that the English word, oracle, is derived . </P>

One of ancient greek's most influential religious figures was the oracle at