In 346 BCE, the conclusion of the Third Sacred War (also known as the Phocian War) brought significant changes to the religious landscape of Greece. That year, Philip of Macedon, the victor of the war, implemented modifications to the centuries-old institution of the Amphictyonic League, a religious alliance centered at the sanctuary of Delphi. These changes did not go unnoticed by the Greek world, sparking criticism and accusations against Philip's political and administrative maneuvers. Greek intellectuals divided into two opposing camps: those who accused the Macedonian king of overreach and those who defended his policies.

Our understanding of this controversy largely comes from Aeschines, an Athenian politician and orator active in the 4th century BCE. Aeschines was known for his pro-Macedonian stance, which is evident in his three surviving speeches: Against Timarchus, On the Embassy, and Against Ctesiphon. Particularly noteworthy is his speech On the Embassy, delivered in 343 BCE, in which Aeschines references the Amphictyonic Oath, a solemn promise supposedly made by the league's founding members.

According to Aeschines, the Amphictyonic Oath bound its members in three key areas: first, prohibiting the destruction of any member city; second, ensuring access to flowing water both in times of war and peace; and third, imposing severe penalties on anyone who violated the sanctuary or its treasures. These objectives suggest that the league's true purpose was not to guarantee peace among Greek city-states or its own members, but rather to enforce more humane conduct during warfare.

However, many scholars believe that the Amphictyonic Oath, as cited by Aeschines, is a fabrication. This skepticism stems largely from the fact that the wording of the oath aligns conveniently with the political situation following Philip of Macedon’s victory. It is argued that the oath may have been altered or invented to legitimize Philip's actions and the changes he imposed on the Amphictyonic League.