In Greek mythology and Greek religious history, the priestess who delivered Apollo’s oracle at Delphi was called the Pythia.
The Pythia served at the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, one of the ancient Greek world’s most famous prophetic centers. She entered a sacred chamber and delivered inspired utterances that priests interpreted or arranged into verses for visitors. Greek rulers, generals, and private individuals consulted the oracle on matters including war, colonization, and religious duties.
The title Pythia came from Python, the serpent associated with Delphi whom Apollo defeated in myth. The priestess was not necessarily one single permanent woman; successive women held the office across centuries.
Pythia is sometimes confused with the Sibyls, who were independent prophetic figures in Greek and Roman tradition. Cassandra was another prophet, but she belonged to the mythology of Troy rather than Delphi’s Apollo cult.