Sancturary of Amphiaraos

What I can see

Amphiareion is a sanctuary in northeast Attica, and was one of the largest in ancient Greece. Located on a ravine of a torrent, visitors would go there for healing and to receive anointings. It was dedicated to Amphiaraos, a hero who according to legend was swallowed by the earth, in a hole that Zeus dug during a battle and then he emerged from the Sacred Source. As we descend into the archaeological site, on the left of the stream are the religious buildings, on the right are the secular buildings. The main monuments are the Klepsydra (hydraulic clock), the Columns with the inscriptions (“terms”), the Roman baths, the 30 pedestals (they supported gifts to god, resolutions, statues, etc.), the Temple (Doric with worshiping statue and altar; the southern half was destroyed by the torrent in antiquity), the Sacred Spring (the healers threw coins and water was channeled to the men’s bath), the Theatre (3,000 – 4,000 spectators, was part of the cure) and the “Egkimitirion” (a 110m long arcade with 49 external Doric and 17 internal Ionic columns), in which the patients were sleeping.

What I can't see

The sanctuary operated for 8 centuries and was of great prestige both in Greece and abroad. Among the famous visitors were Croesus, Lysimachus, Mardonius, Brutus and Sulla. Sulla (Roman general) was a benefactor of the sanctuary, and a column near the temple is dedicated to him. The highest authority was the priest, who held religious, administrative and judicial powers. The “neokoros” (a young man) was the guardian of the “treasure”, that is, the advance payment for the hospital, which was equal to three daily wages. The rules of the sanctuary were: 1) the priest had to be in the temple at least 10 days a month and not be absent for more than 3 consecutive days, 2) the names of the healers were listed by the neokoros, 3) women and men slept separately, men to the east of the Egkimitirion and women to the west; 4) fines were given for inappropriate behaviour; 5) sacrificial meat had to be consumed within the sanctuary. Healing began with fasting and included gifts to the god, as we can see in the Christian faith. After some years, the gifts were melted down and religious utensils were made. During the Roman years, Sulla exempted the sanctuary from taxation because of the sacredness of Amphiaraos, but the Roman parliament later decided that he was only a hero and that the sanctuary had to be taxed. The matter ended with a special envoy from Rome, with Cicero in charge of the delegation, which finally concluded that Amphiaraos was a god and that the sanctuary had to be excluded from taxation. Also, Amphiareion was known for the “Great Amphiaraia” or “Amphiaraa” (music, theatrical, equestrian and naked wrestling competitions).

Info

• Address: Provincial Street of Amfiario- Chalkoutsi

Bibliography