THE SEER AMPHILOCHUS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Amphilochus was the son of Alcmaeon in Greek mythology, a minor seer, but most famous for his relationship with his half-brother, Mopsus.
Amphilochus Son of Alcmaeon
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Amphilochus was the son of Alcmaeon, one of the Epigoni, born to Manto, daughter of Tiresias, who had perhaps been taken as a war prize after the Second Theban War. Amphilochus had a full sister named Tisiphone.
Amphilochus had many half siblings, for Alcmaeon fathered many, but arguably, the most famous of his half-siblings was Mopsus, born not to Alcmaeon, but Manto and King Rhacius of Caria. |
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Amphilochus was known as a seer, and many in his family line had the same ability.
Amphilochus in Corinth
Alcmaeon was, at the time, tormented by the Furies, for his killing of his mother, Eriphyle, and so Alcmaeon placed Amphilochus and Tisiphone in the care of King Creon of Corinth. The wife of King Creon was jealous of the beauty of Tisiphone, and so sold her into slavery, but eventually Alcmaeon came back, and was reuntied with Amphilochus and Tisiphone.
Amphilochus had an uncle of the same name, brother of Alcmaeon, and the mythology of the pair are often told as one.
Amphilochus had an uncle of the same name, brother of Alcmaeon, and the mythology of the pair are often told as one.
Amphilochus a Founding Hero
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It is perhaps plausible that Amphilochus, son of Alcmaeon, is closely linked to founding myths, some of which are also attributed to his uncle, Amphilochus. One such settlement was Argos Amphilochium.
In Cilicia, Amphilochus would found the city of Mallos, with his half-brother, Mopsus; and there was established a highly regarded Oracle, with the Oracle of Amphilochus described as one of the most accurate in all antiquity. |
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Amphilochus seemingly travelled greatly with monuments to him found in Sparta and Oropus; and some also tell of him founding the city of Posideium, some distance south of Mallos.
Amphilochus and Mopsus
Eventually, Amphilochus would return to Mallos, but Mopsus would not share governance of the settlement. Such was the new antipathy between the two that mortal combat took place between the two men. During the fight Mopsus managed to inflict a mortal wound upon Amphilochus, but at the same time, Amphilochus did likewise upon his half-brother.
The pair were buried at Mallos, close to the mouth of the River Pyramus. Their tombs were situated such though, that the tombs were not in line of sight of each other.
The pair were buried at Mallos, close to the mouth of the River Pyramus. Their tombs were situated such though, that the tombs were not in line of sight of each other.
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Colin Quartermain - Amphilochus - 9thSeptember 2025