Established originally to defend a common religious center

• An association of neighboring states or tribes in ancient Greece

Wiktionary Word definitions in Wiktionary
n. A religious foundation or co-operative shared between Greek city states during the classical period, typically to support the temple or cult of a deity shared by the city states. Also used academically to refer to similar arrangements in non-Greek cultures. ...

The Collaborative International Dictionary Word definitions in The Collaborative International Dictionary
Amphictyony \Am*phic"ty*o*ny\, n.; pl. Amphictyonies . [Gr. ?.] (Grecian Hist.) A league of states of ancient Greece; esp. the celebrated confederation known as the Amphictyonic Council. Its object was to maintain the common interests of Greece.

WordNet Word definitions in WordNet
n. an association of neighboring states or tribes in ancient Greece; established originally to defend a common religious center