Page 20 - Resources

can predict pretty well what will happen just because you have already seen the

same thing happen to so many other people.

But the Greek oracles had a couple of advantages too. First, you didn't just come and
ask your question. You had to hang around the temple for a while, talking to the
priests, so they could get to know you. And they could see you, not just hear your

voice on the telephone. Second, everybody came to the same few oracles for help,
and the priests at these oracles compared notes with each other. So if you asked
"Should I get married?" and the oracle said "Yes," and then next week your girlfriend
comes and she asks, "Will Gorgias ask me to marry him?" then the oracle already

knows the answer to that one. There is every reason to think that the oracles were
worth the money they charged.

The most important Greek oracle was the oracle of Apollo at Delphi, though there
were many others.

EPIMENIDES AND THE ATHENIAN PLAGUE

Every age and culture searches for God – the Athenians during the sixth century
before Jesus were no different. Let us imagine the scene in a council chamber on

Mars Hill, Athens.

“Tell us , Nicias, what advice has the oracle sent with you? Why has this plague come
upon us? Why have our sacrifices not helped at all?

Nicias faced his questioner and answered, “The priestess declares that our city lies
under a curse which a certain god has put upon us.” “But which god is it? We have
offered sacrifices to all the gods!”

“Apparently not; the priestess says that still another god remains unappeased.” “Who
could he be?” the council elders asked in amazement. “That I cannot tell you,” Nicias
replied. “The oracle herself does not seem to know his name. She said that we must

send a ship at once to Knossos on the island of Crete and fetch a man named
Epimenides and bring him here to Athens. The priestess assures me that he will know
how to appease the offended god and save our city.”

“Is there no man here wise enough? Must we appeal for help to a foreigner?” said

another elder. “If you know a man of sufficient wisdom here IN Athens then call
him at once, but if not, then let us do what the oracle commands.”

(Greek Grandeur, Hebrew Heart) 18