Oracle

By Crusader1307

While the belief and use of an ''Oracle'' may be older than Ancient Greece, it is from that Culture (and later, briefly into Ancient Rome), the overall usage of such is traced. In it's most simple term, an ''Oracle'' was a Person or group of persons – who had the ability of ''foresight'' with regards to The Future. This was accomplished thru trance-like, ''altered states'' and even the consumption of various hallucinogens. So talented in this ability, often such persons were ''kept secreted'' by Ancient Rulers, who used their ''gifts'' to further their aims. Similar to a Seer – Oracles were often Female Virgins, selected for their position at a very early age (once their ''talent'' was determined). Often a Family was well paid for providing their daughter(s) for such a ''lifelong'' task. Oracles were ''consulted for the end result of future Wars, Battles and even political ''moves''. Most Oracles operated from special Temples, oversaw by Priests of various ''dedicated'' Gods or Goddesses. So too, did some Priests make money by charging Nobility to ''use'' their Oracles. The use of Oracles appears a central point in many stories and Epics of Ancient Greece (since most City States ''believed'' in such). Oracle Beliefs would control for a brief period in Ancient Rome, replaced by The Cult of The Emperor System which would rise during The Imperial Era.