Case Ultra #24 Oracles

C A S E U LT R A

ISSUE

24

Oracles

Story by: David Carus - Modeled by: Chelsea Newman- Makeup and Hair by: Jessica Fenstamaker Shot by: Benjamin Fringuello - Design by: Case Ultra

little over 500 years ago the great artist Michelangelo worked tirelessly to paint one of the world’s most cherished works of art, the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. The theme of the ceiling was creation and among the many figures depicted were five sibyls (women known as oracles that foretold the future through their connection to the Gods) and easily the most beautiful among the sibyls Michelangelo painted was the Delphic Sibyl.

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Delphi was a legendary city some considered to be the center of the Earth, it was where many came to worship the god Apollo and it was home of many oracles and sibyls. The Delphic Sibyl was the most famous among them because she gave advice to Aegeus, Cadmus, Oedipus, Orestes, Perseus, Xuthus, and even Hercules.

The people of ancient Greece worshipped their gods devoutly and passionately. Their culture was arguably amongst the wisest in the world with figures like Socrates and Plato spreading the importance of selfknowledge but for most people, the gods determined everything. To gain their favor prayers and sacrifices

were made and sibyls and oracles were consulted.

Gods spoke through a select few and their advice was followed, sometimes to the detriment of their followers as in the case of a plague in 430 B.C. that wiped out thousands. When their way of life was threatened some civil leaders needed a scapegoat and a finger was pointed at Socrates and he was sentenced to death for his teachings. They did this in spite of the Oracle of Delphi having proclaimed Socrates the wisest man in the world.

Michelangelo’s depiction of the Delphic Sibyl uses four colors some believe represent the four elements of life: water, air, fire and earth. She was the voice of Apollo, the god of music, poetry, prophecy and medicine.

Her legend and influence was felt across the ancient world and her power was such that some claim she also foresaw the coming of Jesus Christ. Ultimately the people’s faith in their gods and the sibyls and oracles that spoke for them faded away with the arrival of Christianity. The world may have turned its attention to new religious figures but the ideas of prophecy and divine intervention continued.