This verse no doubt contains a prophecy after the event, but the precise allusion has been disputed. It would be natural to see (with Franke) a reference to the First Sacred War. This ended in the destruction of Crisa and its port Cirrha (586 B.C.); see Frazer on Paus.x. 7. 2 and x. 37. 5. But athletic games were then added to the old musical contests (see on 517) by the Amphictyonic League, who assumed the management of the Pythia; and it is scarcely credible that these later games should have been so completely ignored, if they had been known to the hymnwriter. Indeed lines 264 f. prove that chariot-races were then unknown at Delphi. We must therefore either assume that the passage was a later addition to the hymn, or look for some other parties to a conflict. It is possible that there may be an allusion to quarrels between the inhabitants of Delphi (reputed Cretans) who served the temple, and the Crisaeans. According to Strabo 421, in early times the temple was managed by the Delphians; and probably their place was gradually usurped by the Crisaeans, who finally roused the wrath of the Amphictyons, by levying excessive tolls on pilgrims.

Ilgen supposes that the σημάντορες were the Amphictyons, who had relations with the Delphic oracle at a time certainly preceding the First Sacred War, although the actual date of the beginning of their influence is not recorded; see Holm i. ch. xix. The prophecy would then refer to the loss of prestige and power sustained by the priests, through the interference of the League.