The Amphiareion at Oropos is an idyllically located sanctuary in honor of the legendary king of Argos, Amphiaraos. This king, who had prophetic gifts, was compelled to participate in the “doomed” attack on Thebes by “The Seven” who had bribed his wife with a beautiful necklace. When the attack of “The Seven” had failed, Amphiaraos turned his chariot and fled in vain … Zeus let the earth split open in front of his chariot, and he disappeared in the hole complete with horse and chariot and his faithful charioteer.
Being now underground, Amphiaraos became immortal and was revered as a god because of his prophetic gifts. The sick took refuge in his sanctuary, and (after sacrificing a ram and throwing money into the holy well), they slept in the enkoimeterion, wrapped in the skin of the ram they had sacrificed themselves. Amphiaraos then appeared to the patient in a dream and healed him, or gave directions on how to restore the patient to health.
The sanctuary houses the temple to Amphiaraos himself, a long line of pedestals for holy gifts, the elongated colonnade of the enkoimeterion, and a beautiful little theater with decorated chairs for the priests.