The Delphic Oracle, Its Responses and Operations, with a Catalogue of Responses

"The Oracle at Delphi: The oracle at Delphi is a figure of great historical importance that was, and still is, shrouded in mystery. She spoke for the god Apollo and answered questions for the Greeks and foreign inquirers about colonization, religion, and power. By her statements Delphi was made a wealthy and powerful city-state. The oracle was at the height of power around 1600 B.C. when Greece was colonizing the Mediterranean and Black Seas (Hale), but was stationed in Delphi from 1400 B.C. to 381 A.D.(Roach). Despite her long tenure it is still debated today how she received the words from Apollo, weather by hallucination or suggestion."--Http://www.coastal.edu/ashes2art/delphi2/misc-essays/oracle_of_delphi.html.