Located around 37 km NE of Athens, the Amphiareion of Oropos is a sanctuary site dedicated to the Greek hero Amphiaraos. Tucked away into the topography and situated near a sacred spring, this sanctuary was dedicated around the late 5th century BCE. It is a popular oracular site, as pilgrims would travel all across Attika for oracular healing.

• Though there is no concrete date for the construction of this site, it is believed to have been created and dedicated to Amphiaraos in the 5th century BCE. (Greeka)

• Became popular during the plague that hit Athens in the 5th century BCE as a healing site

• Stoa was built in 360 BCE or mid-4th century BCE, as many of the structures were built around the 4th century BCE

• The sanctuary saw its heyday during the Hellenistic period, when Oropos belonged to the Boeotian League

  • Games like the Great Amphiarea occurred here and were a popular event (ca. 330-20 BCE)

• Ownership of Oropos was constantly switching between the Athenians and the Boeotians from ca. 431 BCE all the way to 335 BCE

Oracular & Ritual Activity

Because this was an oracular site of healing and prophecy, many pilgrims throughout Attika and from nearby regions would journey here to seek healing. In order to consult with the oracle, one had to first bathe in the baths, sacrifice to all the gods and beings that the altar is dedicated to, sacrifice a ram, and then sleep on the skin of the ram to find "enlightenment in their dream" (Paus. I.34.5). Additionally, they had to abstain from wine for three days and not eat for one day. The skin of the ram is important because it allowed individuals to correctly take part in the "incubation process", in which Amphiaraos would provide their oracular healing/gift in a dream.

Great Amphiarea

In addition to the oracular activity that occurred at the Amphiareon, the sanctuary was also the site of a festival called the Great Amphiarea. The Great Amphiarea took place every five years, consisting of athletic events and equestrian competitions. Participants from Attika and the surrounding regions came to participate in these games. They also honor the individuals who contributed the funds to make the games happen.