Boeo

Boeo (Greek Βοιὼ) was a Delphic priestess and hymnist, who was a source for Pausanias's notes on the history of the Delphic oracle.

Pausanias states that Boeo was a native Delphian, and quotes four lines of a hymn that Boeo composed to Apollo, including a passage near its end where she states that Olen was the first prophet and priest of Apollo, and that the Delphic oracle was established by his disciples along with Hyperboreans. Pausanias notes after quoting this that subsequent to its foundation, the highest office at Delphi always was held by women priestesses.

Boeo's hymn is now lost, except for the fragments preserved by Pausanias, the name of her work is unknown, and no other biographical details are available.

References

• Perseus Encyclopedia, "Boeo." Accessed 14 May, 2015.
• Pausanias. Pausaniae Graeciae Descriptio, 3 vols. Leipzig, Teubner. 1903, 10.5.7-9.