Priestess of Delphi, 1891
John Collier (1850 - 1934), English Victorian Neoclassicism Painter
The first oracle at Delphi was commonly known as Sibyl, though her name was Herophile. She sang her predictions, which she received from Gaia. Later, "Sibyl" became a title given to whichever priestess manned the oracle at the time. The Sibyl sat on the Sibylline Rock, breathing in vapors from the ground and gaining her often puzzling predictions from that. Pausanias claimed that the Sibyl was "born between man and goddess, daughter of sea monsters and an immortal nymph". Others said she was sister or daughter to Apollo. Still others claimed the Sibyl received her powers from Gaia originally, who passed the oracle to Themis, who passed it to Phoebe.
This oracle exerted considerable influence across the country, and was consulted before all major undertakings: wars, the founding of colonies, and so forth. She also was respected by the semi-Hellenic countries around the Greek world, such as Lydia, Caria, and even Egypt. Croesus of Lydia consulted Delphi before attacking Persia, and according to Herodotus received the answer "if you do, you will destroy a great empire." Croesus found the response favorable and attacked, and was utterly overthrown (resulting, of course, in the destruction of his own empire).
The oracle is also said to have proclaimed Socrates the wisest man in Greece, to which Socrates said that if so, this was because he alone was aware of his own ignorance. This claim is related to one of the most famous mottos of Delphi, which Socrates said he learned there, Gnothi Seauton: "know thyself". Another famous motto of Delphi is Meden Agan: "nothing in excess".
Posted by Oroborous at 2008-03-22 07:38:40 Voted 10.00 on 03/22/08
I truly like this.
Posted by VurdalacK at 2005-11-17 10:41:18 Voted 10.00 on 11/17/05
One of the best oils of Collier that fits well into Neverwinter Nights.
Posted by VurdalacK at 2005-11-16 04:00:31 Voted 10.00 on 11/17/05
Thank you for your comments. I know that some people are not citing the actual authors of very known paintings, but to me is a great pleasure to mention John Collier because I love his oils.
Posted by RockDude1984 at 2005-11-15 14:36:38 Voted 10.00 on 11/15/05
John is great and so are you for actually saying that this is not your work. _________________________ Yes I am made out of rocks. Now go do something.
You don't know HOW REFRESHING it is to see someone actually credit the artist when putting these portraits together. There have been a lot lately that are very known paintings that people are not citing as the actual painters.
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at 2008-03-22 07:38:40
