in Grammar and Rhetoric, a term used to denote a phrase susceptible of two different interpretations. Amphibology arises from the order of the phrase, rather than from the ambiguous meaning of a word.

Of this kind was that answer which Pyrrhus received from the oracle: *Ai te, Εακίδα, Ρομανός ωνερε ποσί;* where the amphibology consists in this, that the words *te* and *Romanos,* may either of them precede, or either of them follow, the words *posse vincere,* indifferently. See Oracle.

The English language usually speaks in a more natural manner, and is not capable of any amphibologies of this kind: nor is it so liable to amphibologies in the articles, as the French and most other modern tongues.

**AMPHIBRACHYS,** in Greek and Latin Poetry, the name of a foot consisting of three syllables, whereof that in the middle is long, and the other two short; such are the words [ἀβίτη, ἀμάρα.]

**AMPHICOME,** in Natural History, a kind of figured stone, of a round shape, but rugged, and befit with eminences, celebrated on account of its use in divination. The word is originally Greek, *ἀμφικομήν,* q. d. *utrinque comata,* or, "hairy on all sides." This stone is also called *Erythros,* *Ερυθρός,* *Amatoria,* probably on account of its supposed power of creating love. The amphicome is mentioned by Democritus and Pliny. Mercatus takes it for the same with *lapis lambriacus,* of which he gives a figure.

**AMPHICTYONS,** in Grecian Antiquity, an assembly composed of deputies from the different states of Greece; and resembling, in some measure, the diet of the German empire. Some suppose the word *Amphictyons* to be formed of *αὐτοῖς,* "about," and *κύρων* or *κύρων,* in regard the inhabitants of the country round about met here in council; others, with more probability, from Amphictyon, son of Deucalion, whom they suppose to have been the founder of this assembly; though others will have Acrifius, king of the Argives, to have been the first who gave a form and laws to it.

Authors give different accounts of the number of the Amphictyons, as well as of the states who were entitled to have their representatives in this council. According to Strabo, Harpocration, and Suidas, they were twelve from their first institution, sent by the following cities and states; the Ionians, Dorians, Perhaebians, Boeotians, Magnesians, Achaeans, Phthians, Melians, Dolopians, Ænianians, Delphians, and Phocians. Æschines reckons no more than eleven: instead of the Achaeans, Ænianians, Delphians, and Dolopians, he only gives the Thebans, Octans, and Locrians. Lastly, Pausanias's list contains only ten viz. the Ionians, Dolopians, Thebans, Ænianians, Magnesians, Melians, Phthians, Dorians, Phocians, and Locrians.

In the time of Philip of Macedon, the Phocians were excluded the alliance, for having plundered the Delphian temple, and the Lacedemonians were admitted in their place; but the Phocians, 60 years after, having behaved gallantly against Brennus and his Gauls, were restored to their seat in the Amphictyonic council. Under Augustus, the city Nicopolis was admitted into the body; and to make room for it, the Magnesians, Melians, Phthians, and Ænianians, who till then had distinct voices, were ordered to be numbered with the Thebans, and to have only one common representative. Strabo speaks as if this council were extinct in the times of Augustus and Tiberius; but Pausanias, who lived many years after, under Antoninus Pius, affirms it remained entire in his time, and that the number of Amphictyons was then 30.

The members were of two kinds. Each city sent two deputies, under different denominations; one called *ἐπικομητής,* whose business seems to have been more immediately to inspect what related to sacrifices and ceremonies of religion; the other, *ἡγούμενος,* charged with hearing and deciding of causes and differences between private persons. Both had an equal right to deliberate and vote, in all that related to the common interests of Greece. The *hieromennon* was elected by lot, the *pylogoras* by plurality of voices.

Though the Amphictyons were first instituted at Thermopylae, M. de Valois maintains, that their first place of residence was at Delphi; where, for some ages, the tranquillity of the times found them no other employment than that of being, if we may call it, church-wardens of the temple of Apollo. In aftertimes, the approach of armies frequently drove them to Thermopylae, where they took their station, to be nearer at hand to oppose the enemies progress, and orderly timely succour to the cities in danger. Their ordinary residence, however, was at Delphi.

Here they decided all public differences and disputes between any of the cities of Greece; but before they entered on business, they jointly sacrificed an ox cut into small pieces, as a symbol of their union. Their determinations were received with the greatest veneration, and even held sacred and inviolable.

The Amphictyons, at their admission, took a solemn oath never to divest any city of its right of deputation; never to avert its running waters; and if any attempts of this kind were made by others, to make mortal war against them: more particularly, in case of any attempt to rob the temple of any of its ornaments, that they would employ hands, feet, tongue, their whole power, to revenge it.—This oath was backed with terrible imprecations against such as should violate it; e.g. If they meet all the vengeance of Apollo, Diana, Minerva, &c., their soil produce no fruit, their wives bring forth nothing but monsters, &c.

The stated terms of their meeting were in spring and autumn; the spring meeting was called *Ευρών Περίστασις,* that in autumn *Μηνομένη.* On extraordinary occasions, however, they met at any time of the year, or even continued sitting all the year round.

Philip of Macedon usurped the right of presiding in the assembly of the Amphictyons, and of first consulting the oracle which was called *Νεομενία.*

**AMPHIDROMIA,** a feast celebrated by the ancients on the fifth day after the birth of a child.

**AMPHIDRYON,** in Ecclesiastical Writers, denotes the veil or curtain which was drawn before the door of the *leona* in ancient churches.

**AMPHILOCHIA,** in Ancient Geography, the territory of the city of Argos in Arcadia; *Amphilocheum,* (Thucydides); called *Amphiliachi* (from the people), in the lower age, (Stephanus.) A town also of Spain, in Galicia, built by Teucer, and denominated