Those approaching them expected them to give guidance to solve a problem. Those who had the oracle made a profit from the offerings presented by the applicants. The owners also kept spies to advise what the situation of the applicant city-state was, and so tailor the answer, but always in a fashion that could be interpreted in different ways, so that it covered any of a range of likely outcomes.
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the greek gods
The most famous ancient Greek oracle was that of "Delphi".
behind the exit of a cave
Delphi was the site of the most famous of the Greek oracles.
the advice of priests and priestesses was taken very seriously by Greek leaders.