Sibyl

The name of certain priestesses of Apollo, who prophesied under his direct inspiration. The most famous, the Cumaean Sibyl , guided Aeneas to Hades (Virgil Aeneid, book vi). She sold the Sibyline books to Tarquinius Priscus, offering him first nine books, then six, and finally three for the same price. These were preserved in the Capitol, and might be consulted only by order of the Senate. The Sibyline Books were destroyed in the fire which burned the Capitol in 83 BC. A new collection was assembled, and was preserved until AD 405. During that time additions were made from Jewish and Christian sources.

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