PYTHEAS, p9'-Ml-as, a native of Massilia (Marseilles), temp. Alexander the Great, dis tinguished as a geographer and astronomer. He travelled extensively.
.2371-thi-a. I. Apollo's priestess at Delphi, consecrated to celibacy and the service of the god for life, was always a native of Delphi, and in early times always a young girl ; but after violence had once been offered the Pythia by a Thessalian, Echeciltes, no one was elected under 5o. When she was to give the oracle of the god, the Pythia was led by her spokesman (Irpocp(rnc), and seated on a high tripod over an opening in the ground, from which there issued an intoxicating smoke that was believed to be connected with the well of Cassotis, the waters of which disap peared in the ground close to the temple. The Pythia became delirious from the fumes, and her ravings were carefully noted down, and regarded as the god's response. The oracles extant are chiefly in Ionic hexameters. In later times there were two Pythias, who took their seats alternately, and a third was kept for any exigency, for it sometimes happened that the Pythia was ill for some time after being seized with the divine enthusiasm on the tripod, and occasionally death occurred from the ex citement. 2. One of the four great Greek festivals
(Pythian, Olympian, Isthmian, Nemean), cele brated near Delphi (Pytho) on the Crisswan plain, in honour of Latona, Diana, and Apollo, by the last of whom they were instituted to commemorate his slaying the Python. They became gradually extended from a local fes tival in connection with the Delphic oracle, when hymns were sung, into a great national gathering, at which all the contests of the Olympic games were exhibited. Originally they were celebrated every eighth year, but after 537 B.C. at the end of every fourth year and in the third year of each Olympiad, the celebration of the games being at the same time transferred from the Delphians to the Amphic tyonic Council.
Pirruins,./5"-ad-as (see DAMON).