Sibylline Oracles

• The Sybilline Oracles are sayings by the Greek Sybils written in Greek Hexameter, and consisting of fourteen Books and eight fragments.
• They are not to be confused with the Sybilline Books, which were a collection of prophecies.

Sources

• The Oracles have been preserved in an edition from the 6th century CE, whose author is unknown.
• Books 1-2 may have been edited by a Christian. Books 3-5 are attributed to the Jews in Alexandria, Egypt. The remaining books were collated either by Christian or Jewish authors. The date of the books varies between the second and third centuries CE with multiple revisions thereafter.
• Their preservation is due to their acceptance by Christian writers. The Early Church Fathers were familiar with the Sibylline Oracles, and they remained popular until the Medieval Period. A Latin translation appeared in 1546 CE.

Content

• The oracles are a mix of Greek and Roman Mythology, Biblical refences with commentaries, and known historical figures.
• It is not known whether the content of the Sibylline Oracles is similar to the Sibylline Books which were a collection of prophecies.