Oracle of Delphi

 did not become an oracle because its prophecies were true, but rather, its prophecies came true because it was an oracle.

Delphi did not become an oracle because its prophecies were true... its prophecies came true because it was an oracle.

is a place where to ask for a prophecy meant originally not to be told the future but to compel the future by gaining favor of Apollo, the God of rhythm.

Verse also had a function in oracles-the Greeks claimed that the hexameter was invented at Delphi-because here, too, rhythm was supposed to effect a compulsion. Asking for a prophecy meant originally (according to the etymology of the word that seems most probable to me) to get something deter- mined: one thought that one could compel the future by gain- ing the favor of Apollo, who was originally taken to be much more than a prescient god. As the formula is pronounced, with literal and rhythmical precision. it binds the future. But the formula is the invention of Apollo who, being the god of rhythm. can bind even the goddesses of fate.

oracle of delphi, n.All

oracle of delphi