Delphi. Article #8. Vol 3, pg 979.
If you’ve ever seen or read any Greek plays, you know that before doing pretty much anything, the ancient Greeks would first consult the oracle at Delphi to see how things were going to turn out. The oracle was basically the priestess to Apollo who presided at Apollo’s temple at Delphi. You’d ask her some question about your upcoming venture and she’d predict the outcome for you. So basically, she was a sort of Magic 8 ball for everybody in the ancient world.
So picture this. It’s 480 BC and Xerxes, son of Darius the Great of Persia, is invading Greece. In a panic, the Athenians head to Delphi to get some guidance. They ask the oracle what is going to become of Greece and she mysteriously intones “Reply hazy, try again”.
Or at least that’s how I picture it playing out.
“Delphi.” Encyclopedia Britannica. 15th ed. 2010. Vol 3, pg 979.