Amphiaraus is a revered seer, warrior, and king in Greek mythology, best known for his reluctant participation in the war of the Seven Against Thebes. A man of foresight and honor, he knew the expedition would end in disaster but was compelled to join it due to treachery. Amphiaraus is one of the few mortal heroes who became immortal after death, worshipped as a chthonic oracle and healing deity.
Family and Relations
- Father: Oicles (a seer)
- Spouse: Eriphyle
- Children:
- Alcmaeon – avenger of his father’s betrayal
- Amphilochus – also a prophet and warrior
Key Myths and Deeds
- The Seven Against Thebes: Amphiaraus was one of the seven leaders who marched against Thebes. He foresaw the campaign’s doom and initially refused to join. However, his wife Eriphyle, bribed by a necklace from Polynices, compelled him to participate.
- Final Stand and Divine Rescue: Before leaving, Amphiaraus instructed his sons to avenge him. In battle, as he was pursued by the Theban hero Periclymenus, but the earth opened up and swallowed him. This was an act of divine intervention by Zeus or the gods of the underworld.
- Afterlife and Heroization: Amphiaraus was transformed into a chthonic deity. Shrines and oracles were established in his honor, especially in Oropos, where he offered healing and prophetic dreams to supplicants.
Meaning and Etymology
The name “Amphiaraus” (Greek: Ἀμφιάραος) may derive from amphi- (“around, on both sides”) and arao (“to pray” or “to curse”), reflecting his dual role as a prophet and warrior caught between fate and action.
Symbolism
Amphiaraus symbolizes the tension between knowledge and duty. He represents the tragic burden of prophecy—the ability to foresee disaster but being powerless to prevent it. After death, his transformation into a healing and oracular deity reflects purification and redemption through divine wisdom.
Worship and Cult Centers
Amphiaraus had a prominent cult at Oropos (in Attica), where a sanctuary and oracle were built around a sacred spring. Pilgrims would sleep in his temple to receive healing visions. He was worshipped as a hero and a god, especially in healing and divinatory contexts.
Modern Appearances
Books and Literature
- Featured in Seven Against Thebes by Aeschylus as one of the doomed leaders.
- Referenced in The Thebaid by Statius, which dramatizes his reluctant heroism and tragic end.
- Mentioned in modern retellings focused on Theban or prophetic figures, such as House of Names by Colm Tóibín.