amphictyons

pl. [According to the Greeks, from an ancient hero, Amphictyon, said to have founded the most celebrated of the Amphictyonic a ociations; but he seems to have been a myth invented and named in order to explain the existence of the a ociation. Doubtle from Gr. ἀμφικτίονες (amphiktiones) = they that dwell near, next neighbours; ἀμφὶ ( amphi ) =round about; and κτίζω (ktizō) = to people a country.] Delegates from twelve of the states of ancient Greece which entered into a league to protect the temple of Apollo at Delphi, and to promote peace among the confederate states. conception was a noble one, but, like the Holy Alliance in modern times, the performance was of a different character. The Amphictyonic The both sides; γεννάω (gennaō) = to engender.] Bot. Growing all around an object.