From the evidence of Thucydide
The Delian league formed after the Hellenic league decided to split up. When the league started it was essentially a voluntary alliance. However, over time, Athens disregarded the original constitution and totally changed her attitude toward her allies The Hellenic league, consisting of all Greece, had fought together against Persia, with Sparta as the leader. However, after victory against the Persians, the league split into two. The Peloponnesian league, with Sparta as leaders, and the Delian league, with Athens as leader or Hegaemon. This is an important point. From the outset Athens was regarded as the Hegaemon of the Delian league, although all states were to be considered equal. Athens was regarded as leader due to her huge fleet, which was unequaled in the Hellenic world. This safeguarded the league from a further Persian attack. The league started with three main aims in mind. To compensate the members of the league's losses in war by ravaging the territories of Persia. To liberate other Greek states, especially those in Ionia, and also to preserve their liberty. Many of the smaller states joined because of the protection they would receive from Athens. It was agreed that a counsel, named the Synod, would meet at Delos,
The final change in this period was Athens' insistence that all major legal cases be heard in Athens, by her own law courts. These were settlements of land in the empire, which were settled by lower class Athenian citizens. The league had now become the Athenian Empire. This swearing, in perpetuity, involved a ceremony of dropping a large lump of iron into the sea. Councillors were selected by lot and could be prosecuted for not taking up office if elected. This was the only positive change in the treatment of the allies. ' These two decrees, the Cleinian and the Chalcian, clearly show that the original members of the Delian league were now part of the Athenian empire. In the year 440bc there were only three genuine allies left, Samos, Chios and Lesbos, all contributing ships. This oath proved to be an important issue for Athens and the rest of the states, as Athens seemed deliberately to tightened her grip on the league. " This favour of the democratic system is because Athens believed oligarchic governments caused revolts among the allies. This was a major turning point in Athens' treatment of her allies and the original constitution of the league was now completely disregarded. Also the island of Delos served as a treasury for the league. The second case was Thasos, four years later, in 465bc. An inscription reads, "I shall neither desert nor disrupt the democracy of Colophon. After defeating Persia at the battle of the Eurymadon, Athens decided to move the treasury from Delos to Athens.
Common topics in this essay:
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Tanagra Spartans,
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,
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Chios Athens,
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Acceptance Essays
