Amphictyonic

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /æmˌfɪktiˈɒnɪk/

Definitions

1. A historical designation for a coalition of ancient Greek city-states or tribes working together to oversee shared religious practices and local governance
2. Referring to an alliance among various ancient communities for the management of common sacred rites and regional cooperation
3. A term describing a historical association of ancient Greek polities aimed at managing mutual religious activities and regional governance

Etymology: The Greek word "Amphiktyones" named a league of neighbouring peoples who gathered around a shrine, and the adjective built from it describes anything tied to such alliances. The name is usually explained as "those who dwell around" (from "amphi", meaning around, and "ktizein", to settle or dwell), which is why the sacred league was thought of as a community of neighbours before it was an alliance of states. The best-known league was centred on the sanctuary of Delphi and the temple of Apollo there, and its members met at the spring meetings of the Pylaean council, which the sources place at Thermopylae. Its members swore to protect the shrine and to punish those who harmed it. The English adjective was borrowed directly from Ancient Greek "Amphiktuonikos", so it preserves the classical sense of a religious confederacy rather than a political one, and it is used mainly by historians of Greece.