Delphic oracle, also called Pythia, Pytho, and Oracle of Delphi, most famous ancient oracle, believed to deliver prophecies from the Greek god Apollo. She was based in his temple at Delphi, located on the slopes of Mt. Parnassus above the Corinthian Gulf. The oracle, who at first was called Pytho (the original name of Delphi) and later Pythia, reached the height of her fame between about the 8th and 4th centuries bce, when Apollo’s advice or sanction was sought by lawmakers, colonists, and founders of cults. The Pythia’s counsel was most in demand to forecast the outcome of projected wars