The Sibyl in ancient times

In Greek mythology the Sibyl (σίβυλλα) is a prophetess. In contrast to other oracles, she predicts the future without being solicited. Her prophecies are mostly ambiguous or told in riddles. The Sibyl typically lived in a cave. In Cumae (near Naples) we can still find an impressive Sibyllean cave. The Sibyl of Cumae plays a role in Virgil's Aeneid; Aeneas consults her before his descent into the underworld.

A famous anecdote tells the story of the Roman King Tarquin meeting the Sibyl of Cumae. She offered him nine books of her prophecies, but the king declined to purchase them, owing to the exorbitant price she demanded. She then burned three and offered him the remaining six at the same stiff price, which he again refused, whereupon she burned three more and repeated her offer. Tarquin then relented and purchased the last three at the full original price and had them preserved in a vault beneath the Capitoline temple of Jupiter.

The Sibyl is an imaginary and ageless being, not related to time or place. However she manifests herself in prophetic writings (the so-called Sibylline books). From the 3rd century B.C. onwards the Sibyl becomes very popular, so much so that she is duplicated at different places. In the 1^st century B.C. Varro identifies 30 different Sibyls and assigns them geographically. The Sibylline cult spread all over the Roman Empire, and even the Church Fathers Irenaeus and Origines include Sibylline (i.e. pagan) prophecies in their works.

Fig 1: The Delphian Sibyl
(Michelangelo, 1509, Fresco, Sistine Chapel)

Last modified: Dec 14, 2007