amphictyony

[ am-fik-tee-uh-nee ]

noun

, plural am·phic·ty·o·nies.

1. (in ancient Greece) any of the leagues of states, especially the league at Delphi, united for mutual protection and the worship of a common deity.

amphictyony

/ æmˌfɪktɪˈɒnɪk; æmˈfɪktɪənɪ /

noun

1. (in ancient Greece) a religious association of states for the maintenance of temples and the cults connected with them

Derived Forms

• amphictyonic, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of amphictyony¹

From the Greek word Amphiktyonía, dating back to 1825–35. See amphictyon, -y ³

Example Sentences

After the Persian wars, the predominance of Athens led to the transformation of the Delian amphictyony into the Athenian empire.

From Project Gutenberg

The Panionium, the centre of a religious amphictyony, became for the moment the centre of a political league.

From Project Gutenberg

The oracle and the Amphictyony of Delphi were more potent than the other oracles and the other amphictyonies; but they never united the Greeks into a single nation.

From Project Gutenberg

Religious influences were sometimes strong enough to bring about federations known as amphictyonies, or leagues of neighbors.

From Project Gutenberg

Thirty Latin cities had formed among themselves a religious association analogous to the Greek amphictyonies.

From Project Gutenberg