Home > Myths and Legends of the World > Sibyls

The sibyls were female prophetsone who claims to have received divine messages or insights of Greek and Roman mythology. Their prophecies,foretelling of what is to come; also something that is predicted which emerged as riddles to be interpreted by priests, were inspired by ApolloGreek god of the sun, the arts, medicine, and herdsmen; son of Zeus and Leto and twin brother of Artemis or other gods. The number of sibyls varied from 1 to 12.

The most famous of these prophets was the Cumaean Sibyl. Apollo offered to grant her any wish if she would make love to him. Scooping up a handful of sand, the Sibyl asked to live one year for each grain of sand she held. Apollo granted her wish, but then the Sibyl refused him. As punishment, Apollo gave her...