Particularly interesting is the history of the in?uence of the Oracle in the domain of morality. Here there was a gradual ethical evolution from the old-time barbarous code which could sanction human sacrifice, and which took account merely of external morality, to the stage which took cognizance of mere acts of the will. Having traced the in?uence of the Oracle under these three heads — politics, religion and morality I have brie?y indicated the causes which led to. The decline of the Oracle, and have endeavoured to show the stages in the waning of its in?uence till its extinction in Christian times.