They were after inside information on how to solve problems and sought the god's advice on how to deal with the problem, on the basis that the god knew.
The oracles were a fix by the custodians of the oracles. The fixers gave a double meaning to the oracles delivered, so they were right whichever way events went.
The city hosting the major oracle at Delphi had agents in all the main cities to get advance notice of upcoming questions so that they could cook up clever answers.
The Greeks did go to an oracle when they needed help or advice. One of the most famous oracles was the Oracle at Delphi. The actual oracle is known as the Pythia.
The Ancient Greeks often traveled to get advice from the Oracle at Delphi. The actual oracle herself was known as the Pythia.
They liked to consult an oracle to foretell the future or the outcome of an undertaking to them. There were several Oracles in Greece, but the Oracle of Delphi was the most famous.
To seek advice from the gods on how to handle problems confronting them.
The Oracle of Delphi
"an oracle"An oracle is a person, such as priestess, through whom a deity is held to respond when consulted. An oracle is a being of great wisdom and insight. One from whom one would seek advice. A special priest guided by the Gods. "Oracle" Oracle Application Express, or Oracle Apex is an application one can use on the Oracle platform. It enables users to build web databases for use. There is no cost associated with the Oracle Apex.
"an oracle"An oracle is a person, such as priestess, through whom a deity is held to respond when consulted. An oracle is a being of great wisdom and insight. One from whom one would seek advice. A special priest guided by the Gods. "Oracle" Oracle Application Express, or Oracle Apex is an application one can use on the Oracle platform. It enables users to build web databases for use. There is no cost associated with the Oracle Apex.
The Oracle (at Delphi)
They sought advice on important issues. The Delphians, who made great profit from offerings to the Oracle, had spies located around Greek cities who warned of questions being sent to the Oracle, and the basis of the problems underlying them, so appropriate answers could be prepared.
The role of the Oracle of Delphi was to give prophecies to asking Greeks.
Usually, when one sought guidance from the gods, they consulted one of any number of oracles. The most famous was the Oracle of Apollo at Delphi.
Oracle