Apollo uses a tripod when prophesying because of the three time-periods of actions. Homer [writes]: "he knew the things that are and the things that would be and the things that were before."[1] They say that Apollo acquired his tripod thus:[2] some fisherman were casting their net for wages, so that what was brought up would belong to the one who bought the cast. So some people bought [the cast], and then a golden tripod was brought up. Then they became contentious about this, and the fishermen said "it was fish that we sold." But the ones who bought [the cast] said, "we bought everything that comes up by our own luck." So since they were becoming contentious with each other in this way, they decided to ask Apollo. And he pronounced that it should be given to the wise one. So they brought it to the seven wise men.[3] But each one of them refused it, saying that he was not wise, but that one wiser than he should have it. So they decided to dedicate it to Apollo since he was wiser than all.