Tiresias

In Greek mythology, a man of Thebes blinded by the gods and given the ability to predict the future.

According to the Roman poet Ovid, Tiresias saw two snakes mating, struck at them, and was changed into a woman. Seven years later, in a repetition of the same scene, he reverted back to manhood.

Later, he was called upon to settle a dispute between the two gods Zeus and Hera on whether men or women enjoy sex more. He declared for women, and as a result Hera blinded him, but Zeus gave him the gift of foresight.

After the defeat of Thebes, he either fled with other refugees or was led away in captivity, but on the road he drank from the spring Tilphusa and died. He was believed to retain his powers as a seer in the underworld.