Fourth Sacred War

E14478

The Fourth Sacred War was a late 4th-century BCE conflict in ancient Greece, sparked by disputes over control of the Delphic sanctuary and ultimately exploited by Philip II of Macedon to extend his dominance over central Greece.

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Statements (43)

Predicate Object
instanceOf Sacred War
ancient Greek war
belligerent Amphictyonic League
Macedon
Philip II of Macedon
Thebes
city of Amphissa
various central Greek states
chronologicalOrder fourth of the Sacred Wars over Delphi
commandedBySide Philip II of Macedon
conflictIn history of ancient Greece
conflictType inter‑Greek war
religious war
endTime 338 BCE
followedBy consolidation of Philip II’s control over Greece
formation of the League of Corinth
hasOutcome decisive victory of Philip II of Macedon and his allies
extension of Macedonian dominance over central Greece
subordination of most Greek city‑states to Macedonian hegemony
historicalPeriod late 4th century BCE
involvedParty Aetolians
Delian League
surface form: Athenian alliance opposing Philip II of Macedon

Phocis
surface form: Phocians
location Phocis
surface form: Amphissa

Boeotia
Delphi
Phocis
central Greece
mainCause dispute over control of the Delphic sanctuary
violation of the sacred land of Apollo at Delphi
notableBattle Battle of Chaeronea
notableCommander Philip II of Macedon
partOf rise of Macedon under Philip II
relatedTo Third Sacred War
religiousContext Panhellenic sanctuary of Delphi
surface form: sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi
resultedIn increased Macedonian influence in Greek religious affairs
weakening of independent Greek poleis
significantEvent Battle of Chaeronea
Philip II appointed as leader (hegemon) of the Amphictyonic forces
Philip II’s campaign against Amphissa
startTime circa 339 BCE
triggeredBy Amphictyonic condemnation of Amphissa for encroaching on sacred land
usedBy Philip II of Macedon as pretext to intervene in central Greece

Referenced by (4)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Delphi involvedIn Fourth Sacred War
Amphictyonic League notableEvent Fourth Sacred War
city of Amphissa participatedIn Fourth Sacred War
subject surface form: Amphissa
First Sacred War relatedEvent Fourth Sacred War