Amphictyonic league
[citation needed] The immediate dwellers-round were some small states, including Achaea-Phthiotis, that paved the way for the entry of the body of the rest Boeotian tribes which were living around Thessaly (perioikoi).
[citation needed] Boeotia and Phocis, the most remote locations, joined only during or after the "First Sacred War", which led to the defeat of the old priesthood and to a new control of the prosperity of the oracle at Delphi.
However, as George Forrest notes, "large-scale associations lead more readily to contacts, to friendships and enmities at a distance than do little city-like units.
[citation needed] An early amphictyony centered on Kalaureia, an island close to the coast of Troezen in the Peloponnese and sacred to Poseidon, was noted by Strabo.
[citation needed] Originally a religious organization, the Delphic Amphictyonic League became politically important in the 6th century BCE, when larger city-states began to use it to apply pressure to the lesser ones.
The people of Krissa then imposed a tax on those who were passing through their area to go to Delphi, causing strong complaints and reducing the resources of the Oracle.
[citation needed] In 449-448 the Phoecians, wanting to become masters of the sanctuary, marched against Delphi, but the Spartans sent an army to preserve the status quo: this was the Second Sacred War.
[citation needed] After the Spartans' departure, the Athenians, led by Pericles, gave back to the Phoecians the rule of Delphi and the management of the Pythian Games.
[citation needed] It is unlikely, however, that Phoecis remained in control of Delphi after members of the Boeotian League defeated Athens at the Battle of Coronea (447 BCE).
[citation needed] After ten years of war, in 346, the Phoecians were expelled from the League and their two votes were given to Macedon, which had helped to defeat them.
This resulted in the Fourth Sacred War which culminated in the Battle of Chaeronea (338 BCE), marking the final domination of the Macedonians over Greece.
[citation needed] In 279 the Delphic Amphictyony admitted as new members the Aetolian League, who had successfully defended the sanctuary as well as the rest of mainland Greece against the Gauls.
[citation needed] The Amphictyonic League gradually declined and in the 2nd century CE it was replaced by the Panhellenion, established by the Roman emperor Hadrian.
