Amphic´tyonic League

(or Council ), in ancient Greece, a confederation of tribes for the protection of religious worship, but which also discu ed questions of international law, and matters affecting their political union. The most important was that of the twelve northern tribes which met alternately at Delphi and Thermopylæ. The tribes sent two deputies each, who a embled with great solemnity; composed the public di ensions, and the quarrels of individual cities, by force or persuasion; punished civil and criminal offences, and particularly transgre ions of the law of nations, and violations of the temple of Delphi. Its calling on the States to punish the Phocians for plundering Delphi caused the Sacred Wars, 595-586, 448-447, 357-346 B.C.