to Plutarch "In all the qualities that war was demanding he was fully equal of Themistocles and his own father Miltiades."
             Over a sixteen-year period and under Cimon's leadership, Athens and the League proportionally, constantly and aggressively attacked the Persians, as well as coercing other territories into joining the League. Their actions and reasons have led some into believing that they were seeking self-interest, and by means of the League they hoped to create a dominating empire.
             Their first assault was in 478-477 in Byzantium. After Byzantium was seized, the Persians were disconnected from their garrisons. Thus the valuable trade of the Black Sea was now accessible to the Greeks. Thucydides says "Later they went to Byzantium...and...forced the place to surrender." In this situation there is no reason to believe that Athens did not adhere to the provisions, sh
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