alive in the Earth, with his Chariot, as he was retreating.
Philostratus gives this account of Amphiaraus, in his Second Book of the Life of Apollonius; Amphiaraus, the Son of Oecleus, at his return from Thebes, was swallow'd up in the Earth. He had an Oracle in Attica, whither he sent the Dreams of those who came to consult him about their Affairs; but above all things they must be 24 hours without Meat or Drink and Three days entire without the use of Wine.
Pausanias, in his Attica, speaks of a Temple consecrated to him; At the going out of the City Oropus, upon the Sea-Coasts, about 12 Furlongs from thence, there stands the Temple of Amphia∣raus, who flying from Thebes, was swallowed up with his Chariot. Others say, that it was not in that place, but in the way that leads from Thebes to Chalcis. Nevertheless, 'tis evident that Amphiaraus was first deifi'd by the Oropians, and afterwards the Greeks decreed him divine Ho∣nours. His Statue was made of white Marble, with an Altar, of which only the third part is dedicated to him, and the rest to other Gods. Near to this Temple there is a Fountain call'd the Temple of Amphiaraus, out of which 'tis said he came when he was plac'd among the number of the Gods. None were permitted to wash or purify in that Fountain, but when they had an Answer from the Oracle, or found their trouble remov'd; then they cast some pieces of Silver or Gold into the Fountain. Jopho of Gnossus, one of the Interpreters of Am∣phiaraus's Oracles, publish'd them in Hexame∣ter Verse, which brought the People to his Temple.
Amphiaraus, after he was deifi'd, instituted the way of fore-telling things to come, by Dreams; and they that came to consult his Oracle, must first sacrifice to him, as to a God, and then observe the other Ceremonies pre∣scribed. They sacrificed a Sheep, and after they have flead it, they spread the Skin upon the ground, and slept upon it, expecting a Re∣solution of what they asked, which he gave them in a Dream.
The same Author, in his Corinthiaca, tells us also, That in the City of the Phliasium, behind the great Market, there is an House which is called the Prophecying or Divining-place, where Amphiaraus having watch'd one Night, began to fore-tell things to come.
Plutarch, speaking of the Oracle of Amphia∣rans, says, That in the time of Xerxes, a Servant was sent to consult it concerning Mardonius. This Servant being asleep in the Temple, dreamt that an Officer of the Temple chid him much, and beat him, and at last flung a great Stone at his head, because he would not go out. This Dream prov'd true; for Mardonius was slain by the Lieutenant of the King of Lacedaemon, having receiv'd a Blow with a Stone upon his head, of which he dyed. This is al∣most all that Antiquity has left us about Am∣phiaraus and his Oracles.