Note 768 — OMPHI,

To say the truth, these supposed prophets were Deities, to whom temples were consecrated under these names; or, to speak more properly, they were all titles, which related to one God, the Sun. That they were reputed Deities, is plain, from many accounts. Dion Cassius speaks of Αμφιλοχου χρηστηριον: and the three principal oracles mentioned by Justin Martyr are [768]μαντεια—Αμφιλοχου Δωδωνης, και Πυθους. We have a similar account from Clemens Alexandrinus. [769]Διηγησαι ἡμιν και της αλλης μαντικης, μαλλον δε μανικης, τα αχρηστα χρηστηρια, τον Κλαριον, τον Πυθιον, τον Αμφιαρεω, τον Αμφιλοχον. The Amphictuons were originally prophetic personages, who attended at the temple at Delphi. Hesychius observes: Αμφικτυονες—περιοικοι Δελφων, πυλαγοραι, ιερομνημονες. Minerva, heavenly wisdom, is by Lycophron styled [770]Amphira; which is a compound of Amphi-Ur, the divine influence, or oracle of Orus. Of this name there was a city near Olympia in Elis: for many places were in this manner denominated, on account of their being esteemed the seat of prophecy. In Phocis was the city Hyampolis: and close to it [771] Amphissa, famous for the oracle of an unknown Goddess, the daughter of Macaria. Amphrysus, in Bœotia, was much famed for the influence of [772] Apollo; and Amphimallus, in Crete, was well known for its [773] oracle. Amphiclea, in [774] Phocis, had Dionusus for its guardian Deity, whose orgies were there celebrated; and whose shrine was oracular.