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The Libyan Sibyl

1511: Cappella Sistina, Vatican

A sibyl is a figure from ancient mythology (first mentioned about 500 B.C.E. by Heraclitus), endowed with the gift of prophecy. The writings of the sibyls were expressed in hexameter verse. Christians in the late middle ages believed that the writings of the sibyls foretold the coming of Jesus Christ. During the 16th century, Benito Arias Montano composed Latin verses based on the prophecies written in the "Oracula Sibyllina":

 The Libyan Sibyl 

Gentle light will scatter the shadows and the bonds of ancient law, 
The king of life will be seen on earth. 
A holy maiden will give him to the lands and nurture him at her bosom 
and set down here he will bring succor to the wretched. 
 
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