Formation of the Delian League
In the aftermath of the Persian Wars, Athens organized the Delian League — a maritime alliance of some 150 to 200 Greek city-states. The league's stated purpose was to continue the war against Persia, protect member cities, and liberate the Greek cities still under Persian rule. The treasury was kept on the sacred island of Delos, symbolically neutral ground. Aristides 'the Just' was responsible for assessing each member's contribution, fixing annual tribute (phoros) with such fairness that even subject states praised him. Some states contributed ships; others preferred to pay silver and let Athens build and man ships on their behalf. This choice, initially convenient for smaller states, gradually concentrated naval power in Athenian hands. Under Cimon, son of Miltiades, the league fought aggressively against Persia, winning the Battle of the Eurymedon (c. 466 BCE) and liberating many Ionian cities. But Athenian control tightened. States that tried to leave were forcibly retained — Naxos was subdued around 470 BCE, Thasos after a three-year siege. In 454 BCE, after a disastrous Athenian expedition to Egypt, the treasury was moved from Delos to Athens ostensibly for safekeeping. One-sixtieth of all tribute was dedicated to Athena. Pericles then used surplus tribute to fund the Parthenon and other monuments on the Acropolis. By mid-century the Delian League had become an Athenian empire in all but name, with subject states rather than partners. This transformation generated the resentment that would eventually fuel the Peloponnesian War.
- Year: 478 BCE
- Category: Political
