Sibyl

In Roman mythology, one of many priestesses who prophesied under a deity's direct inspiration; most notably the Sibyl of Cumae, near Naples. A priestess of Apollo, she guided Aeneas to Hades, and offered to sell nine collections of prophecies, the Sibylline Books, to the legendary king of Rome, Tarquinius Superbus. The price was too high, but after she had destroyed all but three, he bought those surviving for the initial sum. They were kept in the Capitol for consultation in emergency by order of the Senate.

After the Sibylline Books were destroyed in a fire which burned the Capitol in 83 BC, a new collection was assembled, and preserved until AD 405. During that time, additions were made from Jewish and Christian sources.