First published 2007
The Oracle of Delphi commanded extraordinary influence in ancient Greece. As the human vessel for Apollo's prophecies, she entered ecstatic states to deliver divine messages that shaped the decisions of kings and citizens alike. Thousands of years after her last utterance, Pulitzer Prize winner William J. Broad embarks on a modern detective story to uncover the truth behind her mystical powers. Broad follows a team of determined researchers as they examine historical records, geological surveys, and archaeological findings. Their scientific investigation seeks to explain what actually caused the Oracle's visionary experiences. The quest takes readers through layers of ancient mystery and contemporary discovery, revealing how modern science can illuminate legends that have puzzled humanity for millennia.
Genres: history, science, archaeology, non-fiction, ancient-history, science-nature
Vibes: suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: mystery, scientific-investigation
Setting: Greece
Period: Ancient
320 pages · Paperback · Penguin Publishing Group