a country of ancient Greece, was bounded on the W. by the Locri Ozolae and Doris, on the N. by the Locri Epichnemidi and the Locri Opuntii, on the E. by Boeotia, and on the S. by the Corinthian Gulf. Its surface was occupied by a succession of lofty mountains and spacious plains. The Locrian chain of heights formed the northern frontier, hemming in the country. Extending along the inner side of these lay the fertile valley through which the Cephissus flowed. On the southern bank of the river the ground rose suddenly and abruptly into the lofty and rugged range of Parnassus. Then it sank gradually down, leaving many mountain offshoots and recesses, until it found a level in the spacious sea-shore plain of Crissa. Phocis held a prominent place in Grecian history from the very first. At an early date it received its name from a certain King Phocus. In course of time, two of its cities, Delphi and Elatea, became notable,—the former as being the site of the celebrated oracle of Apollo, and the latter as standing on the highway from Northern to Central Greece. Nor was its prowess in arms less remarkable. For many years its inhabitants drove back the repeated incursions of the Thessalians; and during the invasion of Xerxes, they stood as bay among the fastnesses of their native mountains. The chief event, however, in the annals of Phocis is the Phocian or Sacred War. (See Macedonia.) Besides Delphi and Elatea, the other important towns of Phocis were Lilaea, on the plain of the Cephissus; Daulis, on the Boeotian frontier; Crissa, on Mount Parnassus; and Cirrha and Anticyra, on the shore of the Corinthian Gulf.

PHŒBUS. See Apollo.

PHŒNICIA. See Syria.