Samian Sibyl

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The Samian Sibyl was a priestess who led the Apollonian oracle near Hera's temple on the Isle of Samos, a Greek colony. The word Sibyl comes from the ancient Greek word sibylla, meaning prophetess. Many Sibyls existed in the ancient world but she is the one who prophesied Jesus' birth in the stable. Phemonoe or Phyto, as Eratosthenes wrote, was the Samian Sibyl's name. The Suidas lexicon states that the Erythraean Sibyl was also known as Samian. Pausanias confirms that the Erythraean Sibyl spent most of her life in Samos (Phocis, 12, 5). Phyto or Foito, with foitos indicating wandering, especially the mind's, is how the Samian Sibyl is known from the Greek world. Modern researchers consider her house was in the cave of Panagia Spiliani monastery which is probably also Pythagoras' cavern according to Porphyry's testimonies. Symeon Metaphrastes references that Samian Sibyl existed when Byzantium was built, a famous ancient colony of Megarians converted by Constantine the Great into the empire's capital after rebuilding and renamed Constantinople. During this time Sibyl is known in Samos and Byzantium was built under the Megarians.