The most ancient fathers of the Church, Justin, Origen, Clement of Alexandria, frequently made use of the Sibylline oracles; and the heathen were at a loss for a reply when Lactantius confronted them with these prophetesses of the nations.

Trusting in the word of Varro, Saint Jerome firmly believed in their existence.

Into _The City of God_ Saint Augustine introduces the Erythrean Sibyl, who, he says, faithfully foretold the Life of the Saviour.

As early as the thirteenth century, these virgins of old had their places in cathedrals by the side of patriarchs and prophets.

But it was not until the fifteenth century that multitudes of them were represented; sculptured on church porches, carved on choir stalls, painted on chapel walls or glass windows.