This rendered it against the interest of the greater states (on whom its consideration necessarily depended) to cement or increase its political influence and thus it was quietly left to its natural tendency to sacred purposes.

Like all institutions which bestow upon man the proper prerogative of God, and affect authority over religious and not civil opinions, the Amphictyonic council was not very efficient in good: even in its punishment of sacrilege, it was only dignified and powerful whenever the interests of the Delphic temple were at stake.

Its most celebrated interference was with the town of Crissa, against which the Amphictyons decreed war B.C.

505; the territory of Crissa was then dedicated to the god of the temple.
VII.

But if not efficient in good, the Amphictyonic council was not active in evil.