Cumae
Part of The Encyclopedia of Southern Italy.
Cumae, Sibyl of: An ancient priestess and prophetess located at the cave sanctuary of Apollo near Cumae. She was, in many ways, the equal in importance to the Delphic Oracle in Greece, and figures prominently in the early history of ancient Rome. According to Roman legend, the Sibyl approached Tarquinius Priscus, the king of Rome, and offered to sell him nine books of prophecies. When the king refused, saying the price was too high, the Sibyl threw three of the books into a nearby fire. She then offered the remaining six books to the king at twice the original price. Tarquin again refused and the Sibyl burned three more of the books and again doubled the price. This time, however, Tarquin realized that the remaining three books would be lost as well if he didn’t agree to the price. He then agreed to buy the three books and brought them back to Rome. A set of books, identified as the three surviving books of the Sibyl’s prophecies were housed in the temple of Capitoline Jupiter at Rome and were consulted at times of crisis. The cave complex believed to have been connected with her oracle was rediscovered by the archaeologist Amedeo Mauri in 1932.