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The Oracle of Trophonius (Ancient Greece)

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• The Oracle of Trophonius (Ancient Greece)

• The Oracle of Trophonius (Ancient Greece)

  JustAnotherTheory > 02-08-2026, 05:38 PM

  This theory is based on an alternate reading of the marginalia on f116v. As you might know, the enigmatic folio's second line begins with the mysterious "michition oladaba8":
  
     
  
  I challenge this reading. My reading is as follows: "anthiton (o)lebadeia". These two words represent two ancient Greek cities, close to one another geographically, known for their connection to an ancient oracle ritual called the oracle of Trophonios. Before going further, I would like to show these cities as they appear in 15th-16th century maps. Please note the strikingly varied and sometimes different naming of these cities in contemprary maps.
  
     
  
  (Map from 1508 Rome, München, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek -- ESlg/2 A.gr.b. 981
  
     
  
  (Map from 1486 Ulm, München, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek -- 2 Inc.c.a. 1820 a)
  
     
  
  (Map from 1462 Bologna, München, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek -- Rar. 124)
  
     
  
  (Map from 17th Century, München, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek -- 2 Mapp. 13)
  
  Here's a side-by-side descirption of these two cities in a Latin geography book:
  
     
  
  As you can see, there are many different spellings and namings for these two cities. And my proposal for the interpreration of You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. is the following:
  
     
  
  But the geographic proximity of these cities and the apparent similarity with You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. is not the only reason I'm making this suggestion. In Lebadeia, in ancient times, the cult of Trophonius was active. In particular, an oracle was present in one of the caves nearby the city, where some incredible things (allegedly) occured.
  
  In order to consult the oracle, a person had to prepare themselves:
  

  • eat a series of sacred herbs,
    
  • bathe in the River Herkryna,
    
  • drink from two rivers called Lethe and Mnemosyne,
    
  • and then descend into a cave.
    

  
  What happened then in the cave is, to put it mildly, an apparent supernatural horror show. Most participants were so frightened that they were unable to speak for days, sometimes weeks. They witnessed, apparently, the god Trophonius himself in person, revealing to them the secrets of the universe. This often included strange depictions of the cosmos, the heavens, people turning into stars and so forth.
  
  We have two major accounts of the happenings inside the cave of Trophonius. One is from Plutarch's De Genio Socratis, while the other is an eyewitness account from the historian and traveller Pausanias.
  
  Unfortunately, not much remains of Lebadeia/Olebadia/Livadia today. There are some archeological findings, such as this sun face:
  
     
  
  Trophonius is often depicted as a beekeeper:
  
     
  
  The surroundings of the city are abundant with warm water springs and ancients baths:
  
     
  
  So... in conclusion, here is a theory that has the merit, at least, of being completely different from any others presented here before  
  
  
  ______________________
  
  References: 
  
  München, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek -- Rar. 124 - You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.
  
  München, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek -- ESlg/2 A.gr.b. 981 - You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.
  
  München, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek -- 2 Inc.c.a. 1820 a - You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.
  
  München, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek -- 2 Mapp. 13 - You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.

• RE: The Oracle of Trophonius (Ancient Greece)

  ololololo > 02-08-2026, 05:57 PM

  It sounds quite interesting, but I have some questions:
  1). How did oladabad become (o)lebadia? Can you tell me the reason for this name change?
  2). In what context are these cities mentioned? Where was VMS written?
  3). How does the name of these cities fit in with the rest of the text on f116v?

• RE: The Oracle of Trophonius (Ancient Greece)

  Jimmy123 > 03-08-2026, 10:21 AM

  That is interesting! The map says almost oladabas. Never seen that before

• RE: The Oracle of Trophonius (Ancient Greece)

  Jorge_Stolfi > 03-08-2026, 02:18 PM

  (03-08-2026, 10:21 AM)Jimmy123 Wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.The map says almost oladabas.

  Actually the maps has a little circle representing a town, labeled "LABADIA" or "LEBADIA".  There is no version of the name with an "O" in front.  The ending is always "IA" not "AS".  And it is always "B" before "D", not the other way around.  
  
  So the resemblance is very, very thin...
  
  All the best, --stolfi

• RE: The Oracle of Trophonius (Ancient Greece)

  Mauro > 03-08-2026, 10:04 PM

  Thank you, I never heard of Trophonius before!
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