OMPHA´LIUM(Ὀμφάλιον), a plain in Crete, so named from the legend of the birth of the babe Zeus from Rhea. The scene of the incident is laid near Thenae, Cnossus, and the river Triton. (Callim. Hymn. ad Jov. 45 ; Diod. 5.70; Schol. ad Nicand. Alexipharm. 7; Steph. B. s. v.;Höck, Kreta, vol. i. pp. 11; 404; Pashley, Trav. vol. 1. p. 224.)
[E.B.J]