The Characters
The Delegate
The Delegate pushes past Lysanias while he is waiting.
The Delegate is a representative of a nearby tribe. The priests of that tribe have seen a comet in the sky, which has caused concern, because comets were associated with imminent drought. They have come to Zeus to ask him if the comet means that they are in danger of famine. The tribe has promanteia, that is, the right to consult the oracle ahead of other visitors…. So he is allowed to jump the queue!
You can read about the evidence for a comet passing over this region in this period here. On the main menu of the VRO virtual reality experience, look to the left and you will see Halley's comet in the sky where it would have been seen in 450BCE.
The question that the delegate will ask is based on a question dating to the first half of the 4th century BCE:
Gods. The Onchesimoi ask whether there is a plague/famine threatening them?