AMPHICLEIA (sanctuary in Phocis)
Ancient town of Phocis, Greece
A serpent protected an infant hidden in a vessel from a wolf attack. Pausanias 10.33.9 The town's inhabitants claim the deity serves as their prophet and aid against illness. Pausanias 10.33.11 Dreams are used to cure ailments affecting the locals and their neighboring communities. Pausanias 10.33.11
Described in the sources
It was located along the river Cephisus. Herodotus 8.33.1 Tithronium is located fifteen stades away from the town. Pausanias 10.33.12 The town is located sixty stades away from the town of Lilaea. Pausanias 10.33.9 A straight road connects the town to Drymaea, which is situated eighty stades away. Pausanias 10.33.12 Amphicleia is situated opposite the city of Elateia, and the road between them measures one hundred and eighty stades. Pausanias 10.34.1 The local inhabitants have corrupted the town's original name, Amphicaea, which Herodotus referred to by its older name. Pausanias 10.33.9
Gods and worship
The priest delivers the god's oracles while under divine inspiration. Pausanias 10.33.11
Stories and history
The army of Xerxes burned down the town of Amphicleia, an act that made it better known in Greece. Herodotus 8.33.1 +1 The people of Amphicleia were scattered into villages after the destruction. Pausanias 10.3.2 The Amphictyons officially named the town Amphicleia in a decree regarding Phocis. Pausanias 10.33.9