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Sacred Wars

Background

The Sacred Wars were a series of conflicts in ancient Greece centered around the control and management of the Delphic sanctuary and its oracle, which was one of the most important religious centers in the Greek world. These wars highlight the intersection of religion, politics, and warfare in ancient Greece. There were four primary Sacred Wars:

First Sacred War (circa 595-585 BCE):

1. Cause:

   • Control of Delphi: The First Sacred War was primarily caused by the city of Crisa (or Kirrha) imposing tolls and harassing pilgrims on their way to the sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi, which angered the other Greek states.
   • Protection of Pilgrims: The Amphictyonic League, a religious association of Greek tribes responsible for the oversight of the sanctuary, declared war to protect the sanctity of the Delphic oracle and the safety of pilgrims.

2. Key Events:

   • Siege of Crisa: The Amphictyonic League, with help from Thessaly and other allies, besieged Crisa. According to some accounts, the Greek forces used a form of chemical warfare by poisoning the water supply of Crisa with hellebore, leading to its eventual capture.
   • Destruction and Consequences: Crisa was destroyed, and its land was dedicated to Apollo. The Delphic sanctuary's independence was reinforced, and the Amphictyonic League took a more active role in its administration.

Second Sacred War (449-448 BCE):

1. Cause:

   • Phocian Control: The Second Sacred War was triggered by a conflict over control of Delphi between the Phocians and the Delphic Amphictyony. The Phocians had seized control of the sanctuary, claiming ancestral rights.
   • Athenian Involvement: Athens supported the Phocians, while Sparta supported the Amphictyonic League, seeking to maintain traditional religious control.

2. Key Events:

   • Intervention: Sparta intervened and restored the sanctuary to the Delphic Amphictyony. However, the Athenians soon reestablished Phocian control over Delphi, leading to a brief conflict.
   • Resolution: Eventually, a compromise was reached, and the sanctuary's administration was stabilized, though tensions remained.

Third Sacred War (356-346 BCE):

1. Cause:

   • Phocian Debt: The Third Sacred War began when the Phocians, heavily indebted and fined by the Delphic Amphictyony for allegedly cultivating sacred land, seized the sanctuary and used its treasures to fund their military campaigns.
   • Amphictyonic Response: The Amphictyonic League declared war on Phocis to reclaim the sanctuary and punish the sacrilege.

2. Key Events:

   • Prolonged Conflict: The war saw numerous battles and shifting alliances. The Phocians, led by Philomelus and later Onomarchus, were able to field substantial mercenary forces thanks to the plundered wealth of Delphi.
   • Philip II of Macedon: Philip II of Macedon intervened, positioning himself as the protector of the Delphic sanctuary. His decisive victories, including the Battle of Crocus Field, significantly weakened the Phocians.
   • End of the War: The war ended with Philip's victory. The Phocians were heavily punished, their cities destroyed, and they were expelled from the Amphictyonic League. Philip's influence over Greece was solidified, paving the way for Macedonian dominance.

Fourth Sacred War (339-338 BCE):

1. Cause:

   • Aetolian Intrusion: The Fourth Sacred War was initiated by the Amphictyonic League against the city of Amphissa, which was accused of sacrilege by the Delphic Oracle. The underlying cause was the political maneuvering and power struggles among Greek states.
   • Philip's Opportunity: Philip II of Macedon, who was already a prominent figure in Greek politics, was called upon to lead the Amphictyonic forces, providing him with an opportunity to extend his influence further into Greece.

2. Key Events:

   • Philip's Campaign: Philip used the pretext of the Sacred War to launch a campaign into central Greece. He captured several cities and further asserted his dominance over the region.
   • Battle of Chaeronea: The war culminated in the Battle of Chaeronea (338 BCE), where Philip, alongside his son Alexander, decisively defeated the combined forces of Athens and Thebes. This battle effectively ended major resistance to Macedonian rule in Greece.

3. Consequences:

   • Macedonian Hegemony: The victory at Chaeronea established Macedonian hegemony over Greece. Philip organized the Greek city-states into the League of Corinth, with himself as the leader, unifying Greece under Macedonian leadership.
   • Prelude to Alexander's Conquests: The political consolidation achieved by Philip set the stage for Alexander the Great's subsequent conquests and the expansion of the Macedonian Empire.

Conclusion:

The Sacred Wars were critical conflicts in ancient Greek history, driven by a combination of religious, political, and military factors. Each war highlighted the importance of the Delphic sanctuary as a religious and cultural center and underscored the complex interplay between religion and politics in ancient Greece. The wars also facilitated the rise of Macedon under Philip II and laid the groundwork for Alexander the Great's achievements, ultimately reshaping the Greek world and the wider Mediterranean region.

Sources

Greek Warfare