Am-phic'ty-ons, n. pl.

n. pl. [Lat. Amphictyones, Gr. Ἀμφικτύονες. Prob. the word was orig. ἀμφικτίονες, dwellers around, neighbors.] (Grecian Hist.) An assembly or council of deputies from the different states of Greece.

☞ Ten or twelve states were represented in this assembly, which sat alternately at Thermopylæ and at Delphi. Each city sent two deputies, one of whom inspected the sacrifices and ceremonies of religion; the other had the charge of deciding causes and differences between private persons.