Musée vivant de l'antiquité. Grèce antique. The ancient oracles (The Classics Pages) What is an oracle?
An oracle was a response given to individuals or representatives of a state who came to a special place (a fixed geographical location - they were not portable!) To ask a question of a god or hero (hero defined as former mortal promoted to divine status - such as Heracles). Usually the question had to be submitted by - and the answer interpreted by - a priest or priestess.
Where were they? You can take a virual tour of some of these sites thanks to Metis.