Circa 1100 BCE, the city became the center of the Amphictyonic League, an organization of Hellenic tribes, including those of Athens and Sparta, established for the protection and administration of the Temple of Apollo. Originally a religious organization, the league eventually became the political instrument of its strongest members. The 12 members of the league met semiannually, alternatively at Delphi and at Thermopylae, where it also protected the Temple of Demeter. Delphi had inspired the first confederation in a land that knew no nationhood.¹¹

Although Delphi acquired world fame and power of an unparalleled kind in Greece, it remained a small town. Delphi was at first a dependency of the Phocian city of Crisa. However, Phocis' claim to rights over the shrine and sacred oracle of Apollo, and the desire of the Delphi to be free of Phocian control, resulted in hostilities. Over the course of 250 years, four sacred wars were fought among various Greek city-states over control of the sanctuary and sacred lands.

The First Sacred War for control of Delphi was fought against the Phocian city of Crisa from 595 to 586 BCE. The Phocians of Crisa decided to exploit their position as neighbors of Delphi and levied heavy tolls on pilgrims traveling to the oracle. Delphi appealed to the Amphictyonic League for help and the league destroyed Crisa. Cleisthenes of Sicyon, ruler of the ancient city of Sicyon and member of the Amphictyonic League, took a leading part in this war on behalf of the oracle of Delphi. After the war, the city was made independent. Control of sanctuary passed to the Amphictyonic League that reorganized and presided over Pythian games. The Pythian games originally took place once every eight years to commemorate Apollo's return from his voluntary exile, which he took after slaying the Python to cleanse himself of the murder. Beginning in 582 BCE, the Pythian games were held once every four years with the various Greek city-states vying for the coveted laurel crown. In addition, gymnastic and equestrian competitions, notably the chariot race, which Cleisthenes won in 582 BCE, were added to the earlier musical contests.¹²

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