Suggesting that Oidipous pay a visit to Pytho, the Oracle at Delphi, to test the veracity of his present statements and thus his innocence of the conspiracy charge, Kreon suggests that the Oracle be permitted to serve as an independent arbitrator. Since Oidipous has never questioned Delphi’s integrity or reliability, this seems a reasonable enough suggestion. It suggests indeed that the Delphic Oracle could be used in just this way: as an institution offering the services of an independent arbitrator. [Gt-a] The suggestion does, however, raise a number of new questions. First, what would use of this recourse prove, for Oidipous has never questioned the authenticity of Kreon’s report. Athens, on the other hand, had a notably different view of Delphi; it clearly regarded the prophecy promising a Spartan victory with utmost skepticism. [Mp] [Md] In this context, the suggestion to send an embassy to Delphi to check on the accuracy of the report could be highly beneficial. Second, Delphi is a long way off, raising the question, whether the disagreement between Kreon and Oidipous warrants the cost in resources and the delay it would introduce into the present investigation. Again, in relation to the interpretation of prophecy bearing on the war that has erupted between Athens and Sparta, the length and cost of a journey might well be justified. Third, if Oidipous were prepared to go again to Delphi, why not rather directly ask if he is Laios’ killer? The answer to this question would resolve several matters: it would establish the veracity of both Kreon and Teiresias and, more importantly, end the investigation. In relation to Athens, by comparison, the suggestion of a new embassy to Delphi prompts consideration, to what questions might the Oracle most fruitfully respond? Perhaps, rather than simply seeking confirmation of the prophecy given Sparta, Athens might ask for new instructions, how to resolve the current dispute. [Mipd] [Mw]