Archæologiæ Græcæ, or, The antiquities of Greece by John Potter ...

CHAPTER XI. Of other Grecian Oracles.

AMphiaraus was the Son of Oïcleus, and married Eriphyle the Si∣ster of Adrastus, King of Argos; he was an excellent Sooth∣sayer, and by his Skill foresaw that it would prove fatal to him, if he engag'd himself in the Theban War. Wherefore, to avoid inevi∣table destruction, He hid himself, but was discover'd by his Wife Eriphyle, whom Polynices had corrupted with a Present of a golden Chain. Being discover'd, he was oblig'd by Adrastus to accom∣pany the Army to Thebes, where it happened to Him as He had foretold; for, together with his Chariot and Horses, he was swal∣low'd up by the Earth. Whence Ovid saith of him,

Notus humo mersis Amphiaraus equis.

Some say this Accident happen'd in the way betwixt Thebes and Chal∣cis, and for that reason the place is call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. e. a Chariot, to this day, saith Pausanias (a) 1.1.

After his Death, he was honoured with Divine Worship; first by the Oropians, and afterwards by all the other Grecians: And a stately Temple, with a Statue of white Marble, was erected to him in the place where he was swallow'd up, saith my Author, being about XII Stadia distant from Oropus, a City in the confines of Attica and Boeotia, which for that reason is sometimes attributed to both Coun∣tries. There was also a remarkable Altar, dedicated to him in the same place; it was divided into five parts: The first of which was sacred to Hercules, Iupiter, and Paeonian Apollo: The second to the Heroes, and their Wives: The third to Vesta, Mercury, Amphiaraus, and the Sons of Amphilochus, (for Alcmaeon, the Son of Amphiaraus, was not allow'd to partake of any of the Honours pay'd to Am∣philochus, or Amphiaraus, because he slew his Mother Eriphyle) The fourth to Venus, Panac••a, Iason, Hygia, and Paeonian Minerva. The fifth part to the Nymphs, Pan, and the Rivers Achelous, and Cephisus.

Answers were not deliver'd, as those of Apollo, by a Pythonissa, but in Dreams: Iophon the Gnosian, who publish'd the ancient Oracles in Heroick Verses, reports, That Amphiaraus return'd an An∣swer to the Argives in Verse; but my Author herein contradicteth him, and reports farther, that it was the general opinion, that only those, who were inspir'd by Apollo, gave Answers after that manner; whereas all the rest made Predictions either by Dreams, or the Flight of Birds, or the Entrails of Beasts. He adds, for a confirmation of what he had said before, viz. that these Answers were given in Dreams, That Amphiaraus was excellently skill'd in the Interpretation of Dreams, and Canoniz'd for the Invention of that Art.

They that came to consult this Oracle, were first to be purify'd by offering Sacrifice to Amphiaraus, and all the other Gods, whose Names were inscrib'd on the Altar: (a) 1.2 Philostratus adds, they were to fast 24 hours, and abstain three days from Wine. After all, they offer'd a Ram in Sacrifice to Amphiaraus; then went to sleep, lying upon the Victim's Skin, and in that posture expected a Revelation by Dream. In the same manner did the People of Apulia Daunia expect Answers from Podalirius, who died there, and return'd Prophetick-dreams to those that came to enquire of him: whoe're consulted him, was to sleep upon a Sheep's skin at his Altar, as we learn from these words of Lycophr••n (b) 1.3,

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

They, whose aspiring Minds curious to pry Into the Mystick Records of Events, Ask aid of Podalirius, must sleep Prostrate on Sheep-skins at his hallow'd Fane, And thus receive the true Prophetick Dreams.

Mr. Hutchin.

To return. All Persons were admitted to this Oracle, the Th••∣bans only excepted, who were to enjoy no benefit from Amphia∣raus in this way: for, as Herodotus reporteth (c) 1.4, He gave them their option of two Things, viz. His Counsel and Advice, to direct them in time of Necessity; or his Help and Protection, to defend them in time of Danger; telling them they must not expect both: whereupon they chose the latter, thinking they had a greater need of Defence, than Counsel, which they could be sufficiently furnish'd with by Delphian Apollo.

This Oracle was had in very great esteem: Herodotus (d) 1.5 reckons it amongst the five principal ones of Greece, consulted by Croesus, be∣fore his Expedition against Cyrus; viz. the Delphian, Dodonaean, Am∣phiaraus's,

Trophonius's, and the Didymaean; and Valerius Maximus (a) 1.6 saith, it was not inferiour either to the two first of those already mention'd, or that of Iupiter Hammon.

Near the Temple was the Fountain, out of which Amphiaraus ascended into Heaven, when he was receiv'd into the number of the Gods, which for that reason was call'd by his Name; it was held so sacred, that it was a Capital crime to employ the Waters of it to any ordinary use, as washing the hands, or Purification; nay it was unlawful to offer Sacrifice before it, as was usual at other Fountains: The chief, and perhaps only use it was employ'd in, was this, viz. they that by the advice of the Oracle had recover'd out of any Disease, were to cast a piece of coyn'd Gold, or Silver into it; and this (b) 1.7 Pausanias tells us was an ancient Custom, and deriv'd from the primitive Ages.

At Pharae, a City of Achaia, Answers were given by Mercurius 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, so nam'd from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. e. the Market-place, where was a Statue of stone erected to him, having a Beard, which seems to have been a thing unusual in his Statues; before it was plac'd a low Stone-altar, upon which stood brazen Basons soldered with Lead. They that came for Advice, first offer'd Frankincense upon the Altar, then lighted the Lamps, pouring Oyl into them; after that, they offer'd upon the right side of the Altar a piece of Money, stamp'd with their own Coun∣trey-impression, and call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, then propos'd the Questions they desir'd to be resolv'd in, placing their Ear close to the Statue, and after all departed, stopping both their Ears with their Hands, till they had pass'd quite through the Market-place; then they pluck'd away their Hands, and receiv'd the first Voice that presented it self, as a Di∣vine Oracle. The same Ceremonies were practic'd in Aegypt, at the Oracle of Serapis, as (c) 1.8 Pausanias hath reported.

(d) 1.9 At Bura in Achaïa, there was an Oracle of Hercules, call'd from that City Buraicus; the place of it was a Cave, wherein was Her∣cules's Statue: Predictions were made by throwing Dice. They that consulted the God, first address'd themselves to him by Prayer; then taking four Dice, out of a great heap that lay ready there, they threw them upon the Table; all the Dice had on them certain peculiar marks, all which were interpreted in a Book kept for that purpose; as soon therefore as they had cast the Dice, they went to the Book, and there found every Man his Doom.

At Patrae, (e) 1.10 a City on the Sea-coast of Achaia, not far from the Sacred Grove of Apollo, there was a Temple dedicated to Ceres, in which were erected three Statues, two to Ceres and Proserpina, stand∣ing; the third to Earth, sitting upon a Throne. Before the Temple there was a Fountain, in which were deliver'd Oracles, very famous for the truth of their Predictions. These were not given upon every account, but concern'd only the Events of Diseases. The manner of

consulting was this; They let down a Looking-glass by a small cord into the Fountain so low that the bottom of it might just touch the surface of the Water, but not be cover'd by it; this done, they offer'd Incense and Prayers to the Goddess; then looked upon the Glass, and from the various Figures and Images represented in it, made Conjectures concerning the Patient.

(a) 1.11 At Troezen, a City of Peloponnesus, there was an old Altar de∣dicated to the Muses and Sleep, by Ardalus, one of Vulcan's Sons; who was the first Inventor of the Flute, and a great Favourite of the Muses, who from him were call'd Ardalides. They that came for Ad∣vice, were oblig'd to abstain certain days from Wine. Afterwards they lay down by the Altar to sleep, where, by the secret Inspiration of the Muses, proper Remedies for their Distempers were reveal'd to them.

(b) 1.12 At Epidaurus, a City of Peloponnesus, there was a Temple of Aescu∣lapius, famed for curing Diseases; the Remedies of which were re∣veal'd in Dreams. When the Cure was perfected, the Names of the diseased Persons, together with the manner of their Recovery, were registred in the Temple. This God was afterwards translated to Rome, by the Command of Delphian Apollo, who told them, that was the only way to be free'd from the Plague, which at that time rag'd exceedingly amongst them: whereupon they sent Embassadours to Epidaurus, to desire the God of them; but the Epidaurians being un∣willing to part with so beneficial a Guest, Aesculapius of his own accord, in the shape of a great Serpent, went straight to the Roman ship, where he repos'd himself, and was with great veneration con∣vey'd to Rome, where he was receiv'd with great joy; and having deliver'd them from the Distress they lay under, was honour'd with a Temple in the little Island, encompass'd by the River Tibur, and worshipped in the same Form he had assum'd. This Story is related by Pliny (c) 1.13, and Ovid (d) 1.14.

At Amphiclea, call'd by Herodotus Ophitca, by Stephanus Amphicaea, there was a Temple sacred to Bacchus, but no Image, at least, none expos'd to publick view. To this God, saith Pausanias (e), the Am∣phicleans ascribe both the Cure of their Diseases, and the Foretelling of future Events; the former he effected by revealing proper Reme∣medies in Dreams; the latter, by inspiring into his Priests Divine Knowledge.

Strabo, in his Description of Corinth, telleth us, Iuno had an Oracle in the Corinthian Territories, in the way between Lechaeum and Pagae.

There was also in Laconia, a Pool sacred to Iuno, by which Pre∣dictions were made after this manner: They cast into it Cakes made of Bread-corn; if these sunk down, good; if not, something dreadful was portended.

(f) 1.15 Coelius Rhodiginus telleth us out of Philostratus, that Orpheus's Head at Lesbos, gave Oracles to all Enquirers, but more especially to the

Grecians; and told them, That Troy could not be taken without Her∣cules's Arrows: He adds, that the Kings of Persia and Babylon, often sent Embassadors to consult this Oracle, and particularly Cyrus, who being desirous to know by what death he was to die, receiv'd this Answer, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 i. e. My Fate, O Cyrus, is decreed you. Whereby it was meant he should be Beheaded; for Orpheus suffer'd that death in Thrace, by the fury of the Women, because he pro∣fess'd an hatred and aversion to the whole Sex: his Head being thrown into the Sea, was cast upon Lesbos, where it return'd answers in a Cavern of the Earth. There were also Persons initiated into Orpheus's My∣steries, call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, who assur'd all those that should be ad∣mitted into their Society, of certain Felicity after Death: which when Philip, one of that order, but miserably poor and indigent, boasted of, Leotychidas the Spartan reply'd, Why do not you die then, you Fool, and put an end to your Misfortunes, together with your Life? At their Initiation, little else was requir'd of them, besides an Oath of Secrecy.

In Laconia, in the way betwixt Oebylus and Thalamiae, (a) 1.16 Pausa∣nias saith, there was a Temple and Oracle of Ino, who gave An∣swers by Dreams, to those that enquir'd of her.

(b) 1.17 Plutarch maketh mention of another famous Oracle in Laco∣nia, at the City Thalamiae, which was sacred to Pasiphae, who, as some say, was one of the Daughters of Atlas, and had by Iupiter a Son call'd Ammon. Others are of opinion it was Cassandra, the Daugh∣ter of King Priamus, who dying in this place, was call'd Pasiphae, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, from revealing Oracles. Others will have it, that this was Daphne, the Daughter of Amyclas, who flying from Apollo, was transformed into a Lawrel, and honour'd by that God with the Gift of Prophesy. This Oracle, when Agis, King of Sparta, endeavour'd to reduce the Spartans to their ancient manner of Living, and put in force Lycurgus's old Laws, very much countenan∣ced and encouraged his▪ Undertaking, commanding the People to return to their former State of Equality. Again, when Cleomenes made the like Attempt, it gave the same Advice, in this manner, as my Author relates the Story (c) 1.18: About that time, saith he, one of the Ephori, sleeping in Pasiphae's Temple, dream'd a very surprizing Dream; for he thought he saw the four Chairs remov'd, where the Ephori us'd to sit and hear Causes, and one only plac'd there; and whilst he wonder'd, he heard a Voice out of the Temple, saying, This is best for Sparta.

Upon the top of Cithaeron, a Mountain in Boeotia, was a Cave call'd Sphragidium, where many of the Inhabitants of that Countrey were inspir'd by the Nymphs, call'd Sphragitides, and thence nam'd, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (d) 1.19, i. e. inspir'd by the Nymphs.

Ulysses had an Oracle amongst the Eurytanes, a Nation of Aetolia, as (a) 1.20 Aristotle is said to report by Tzetzes, in his Comment upon Lyco∣phron, who hath these words concerning Ulysses,

(b) 1.21 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, O, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

Aetolian People the dead Prophet crown.

Several other Oracles we read of in Authors, as that of Tiresia••, and Aegeus, with others of less Repute; which for that reason I shall forbear to mention.

Notes

• (a) 1.1

  Atticis.
• (a) 1.2

  Vita Apollonii Tyanaei lib. II.
• (b) 1.3

  Cassandrâ v. 1050.
• (c) 1.4

  lib. viii. cap. cxxxiv.
• (d) 1.5

  Lib. 1. c. xlvi.
• (a) 1.6

  Lib. VIII. c. XV.
• (b) 1.7

  Atticis.
• (c) 1.8

  Achaicis.
• (d) 1.9

  Ibidem.
• (e) 1.10

  Pausanias ibidem.
• (a) 1.11

  Pausanias.
• (b) 1.12

  Idem Corinthiac.
• (c) 1.13

  Lib. IV.
• (d) 1.14

  Met. XV. Phocicis.
• (f) 1.15

  An∣tiquitat. lib. XV. cap. IX.
• (a) 1.16

  La••••••icis.
• (b) 1.17

  Agide.
• (c) 1.18

  Cleomene.
• (d) 1.19

  Pausanias Boeo••io.
• (a) 1.20

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 Polit•• a.
• (b) 1.21

  Vers. 799.