Chapter 10

CAVE ORACLES

Polignac--Greek oracles--Charonion--Cave of the Nymphs--Exhalations-- Delos--Care of Trophonios--Experiences of Pausanius--Cave at Acharaca --Sibylline oracles--Destruction--Forged oracles--Oracles among the Jews--Story of Hallbjörn--Sounds issuing from caves--Echo--Æolian cave of Terni--Purgatory of S. Patrick--The Knight Owain--Visit by Sir William Lisle--By a monk of Eymstadt--Prohibited by Alexander VI.-- Prohibition rescinded by Pius III.--Destroyed in 1622--Revival of pilgrimages--Description by Gough--Friar Conrad--Lazarus Aigner-- Roderic, King of the Goths--Sortes Sacræ--Condemned by the Church-- Nevertheless practised--Instances from Gregory of Tours--Incubation in pagan shrines--The cave of Cybele--Temples of Isis and Esculapius-- Churches founded by Constantino dedicated to S. Michael--Incubation practiced in them--Instances--Churches of S. Cosmas and Damian-- Practice at Caerleon--Superstition hard to kill--Grotto of Lourdes