Cumaean Sibyl

The Cumaean Sibyl was the priestess presiding over the Apollonian oracle at Cumae, a Greek colony located near Naples, Italy.

Related Topics:
Apollonian - Oracle - Cumae - Greek colony - Naples - Italy

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The word Sibyl comes (via Latin) from the ancient Greek word sibylla, meaning prophetess. There were many Sibyls in the ancient world, but because of the importance of the Cumaean Sibyl in the legends of early Rome, she became one of the most noted and famous, often simply referred to as The Sibyl.

Related Topics:
Sibyl - Latin - Ancient Greek - Prophet - Early Rome

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In the art of Michelangelo (shown to the right) and other painters, her powerful presence overshadows every other Sibyl, even her younger and more beautiful sisters, such as the Delphic Sibyl.

Related Topics:
Michelangelo - Delphic Sibyl

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There are various names for the Cumaean Sibyl: Amaltheia, Demophile, Deiphobe, Herophile, or Taraxandra. (In Virgil's Aeneid, she is called Deiphobe, daughter of Glaucus.)

Related Topics:
Virgil - Aeneid - Glaucus

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