OMPHEN.]

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 [Greek:
Amphilochou chresterion]: and the three principal oracles mentioned by
Justin Martyr are [768][Greek: manteia--Amphilochou Dodones, kai Puthous].
We have a similar account from Clemens Alexandrinus. [769][Greek: Diegesai
hemin kai tes alles mantikes, mallon de manikes, ta achresta chresteria,
ton Klarion, ton Puthion, ton Amphiareo, ton Amphilochon.] The Amphictuons
were originally prophetic personages, who attended at the temple at Delphi.
Hesychius observes: [Greek: Amphiktuones--perioikoi Delphon, pulagorai,
ieromnemones.] 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 Boeotia, 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.

I imagine that this sacred influence, under the name of Amphi, is often
alluded to in the exordia of Poets, especially by the writers in
Dithyrambic measure, when they address Apollo. Taken in its usual sense
([Greek: amphi] circum) the word has no meaning: and there is otherwise no
accounting for its being chosen above all others in the language to begin
hymns of praise to this Deity, who was the principal God of prophecy. We
have one instance of it in the Nubes of Aristophanes:

[775][Greek: Amphi moi aute anax,]
[Greek: Delie, Kunthian echon]
[Greek: Hupsikerata petran.]

Periander is mentioned as beginning a hymn with a like exordium: [Greek:
Amphi moi authis anakta]: And Terpander has nearly the same words:
[776][Greek: Amphi moi authis anakth' hekatebolon]. Apollo was so
frequently called [Greek: Amphi anax], that it was in a manner looked upon
as a necessary prooeemium. Suidas observes, [Greek: Amphianakt