Page:History of Greece Vol XI.djvu/276

 jtoO HIST ORY OF GREECE. clared strenuously against them, supported by all the states north of Bceotia, Lokrians, Dorians, JEnianes, Phthiot-Achoeans, Mag- netes, Perrhaebians, Athamanes, and Dolopes. Several of these last were dependents of the Thessalians, and followed their exam- ple ; many of them moreover belonging to the Amphiktyonic constituency, must have takeu part in the votes of condemnation just rescinded by the Phokians. We may clearly see that it was not at first the intention of Phi- lomelus or his Phokian comrades to lay hands on the property of the Delphian temple ; and Philomelus, while taking pains to set himself right in the eyes of Greece, tried to keep the prophetic agency of the temple in its ordinary working, so as to meet the exigencies of sacrificers and inquirers as before. He required the Pythian priestess to mount the tripod, submit herself to the pro- phetic inspiration, and pronounce the word thus put into her mouth, as usual. But the priestess, chosen by the Delphians, and probably herself a member of one among the sacred Delphian Gentes, obstinately refused to obey him ; especially as the first question which he addressed concerned his own usurpation, and his chances of success against enemies. On his injunctions, that she should prophesy according to the traditional rites, she re- plied that these rites were precisely what he had just overthrown ; upon which he laid hold of her, and attempted to place her on the tripod by force. Subdued and frightened for her own personal safety, the priestess exclaimed involuntarily, that he might do what he chose. Philomelus gladly took this as an answer, favora- ble to his purpose. He caused it to be put in writing and pro- claimed, as an oracle from the god, sanctioning and licensing his designs. He convened a special meeting of his partisans and the Delphians generally, wherein appeal was made to this encouraging answer, as warranting full confidence with reference to the im- pending war. So it was construed by all around, and confirmatory evidence was derived from farther signs and omens occurring at the moment. 1 It is probable, however, that Philomelus took care for the future to name a new priestess, more favorable to his in- terest, and disposed to deliver oracular answers under the new administrators in the same manner as under the old. 1 J)iodor. xvi. 25, 26, 27.