The Athenians held a keen interest in establishing trade connections with Greek cities that were still under Persian rule, with the goal of liberating fellow Greeks from Persian influence. In Athens, they initiated the reconstruction of their city walls, a move that faced opposition from Sparta. Themistocles employed tactics to stall the Spartans until the Athenian walls were fully rebuilt, exemplifying evident power dynamics and strategic maneuvering.
Subsequently, Sparta and its allies in the Peloponnese peninsula withdrew from the conflict, leaving Athens as the predominant force among the cities that continued the resistance. In response, Athens established a fresh league of states, termed the Delian League, a voluntary coalition with the aim of countering Persian aggression, although under Athenian leadership.
By approximately 446/5 BC, the Delian League had evolved into what could be considered the Athenian empire. Despite achieving peace with Persia, Athens maintained a strong grip on its allies. The league's military forces freed Greek communities from Persian control and asserted dominance over the eastern Mediterranean waters. Most member states provided an annual tribute, which Athens allocated towards constructing and crewing warships.
The initial action of the Delian League around 476/5 BC was the capture of Eion, a Persian stronghold situated along the Strymon River. Following this, the Athenians expelled pirates from Scyrus, taking control of the region. They subsequently subdued Carystus, a city that had sided with Persia during the conflict, and in 467 BC, quelled a rebellion in Naxos. This consistent pattern emerged: confronting Persians, annexing territories, and compelling cities to remain within the league.
Athens assumed the role of a policing authority within the alliance, reinstating cities into the league that had breached their allegiance. They intervened in internal conflicts within member cities, often favoring those supporting democratic principles. This marked the outset of Athenian imperialism.
To solidify their dominion, Pericles initiated a policy in 450 BC to establish kleruchiai—semi-colonial settlements—tethered to Athens, serving as garrisons to maintain control over the vast territory of the league.
In 437 BC, Athenians founded Amphipolis as a colony in the Chalcidice region, attaining significance due to its abundant natural resources like timber, pitch, and metals. The empire became self-sustaining in terms of both economy and military, with the fleet functioning as a versatile tool.
Ultimately, concerns regarding Athens' escalating power triggered the Peloponnesian War against Sparta and its allies, resulting in an extended and costly war of attrition. Athens' defeat in 404 BC marked the downfall of the empire.
The Rise of the Athenian Empire(454 – 404 BC)
