Homer in the seventh century. Klaros never served as a city throughout its long history, but rather as a sanctuary to Apolio during the Hellenistic period, and as an important oracle and sanctuary during the Roman period. Since it was so close to Kolophon and Notion, the faithful citizenry maintained their homes in these two cities. In the fourth century A.D., the oracle was much consulted by the surrounding cities and townships. Nearby Ephesus and Miletus had their own temples to Didymi, but envied the position and importance of Klaros. The religious center thrived under the Roman empire. The temple was  dedicated by Hadrian, and later travelers from many parts of the world came to consult the oracle.

The original inhabitants of the nearby countryside were Carians, Greeks from Crete came later, and then Thebans. The oracie was a great attraction for seers, and It was the only one to survive into the Christian period. One of the most famous of the seers was Mopsus, from the marriage of the Cretan ruler and a Theban prophetess, A contest between Mopsus and another well-known seer, Calchas. was held just after the Trojan War to decide which

was the better in matters of divination. It appears that Mopsis so impressed the other that Calchas died from his grief, not abl^ to accept the position of second-best. A tale was related, near the end of the first century A.D., that described the procedure at the oracle. A priest, usuolly an illiterate- man, would receive the people in    quest of oracular advise. He would be told  only  the names of    the    clients,    nothing more,    then would descend to    the oracle under the temple. Here he reportedly drank from a sacred well and meditated. Later, he could emerge to advise the waiting people on    the    matters    that had been    of most importance    to them. What Is more   he did    this in verses.