The Leagues of Athens

and Sparta
 The Two Leagues
After the Persian wars, Athens and
Sparta both lead separate alliances
of city-states
Athens forms the Delian League
Sparta forms the Peloponnesian
League
 The Delian League
Formed and run by Athens in 478 BCE
Athens and any city-states who wanted the
alliance to continue to defend against Persia
BUT NOT under Spartas leadership
Along and in the Aegeanno one from the
Peloponnesus
Aristeides the Just, known for his fairness,
organized a defence treaty which precisely
calculated the tribute for the fleet to be built
by Athens
 The Terms of the League
each member city-state must contribute to
the alliance either:
ships and crews
Money (to pay and maintain the fleet at Athens)
Headquarters, meetings, and treasury at Delos
island (central neutral location)
no interference in the internal affairs of any
city-state in the League
no member could withdraw without all other
members consent
 Athens is in charge
assessed the contributions (either $ or
ships/crews)
administered the money
built the ships
provided and trained ships crews
commanded the fleet
contributed the most ships
 Problem in the Delian
League
In 470 BCE,Naxos and Thasos tried to
withdraw from the League
Athens attacked them and forced them
to remain in the League
Athens decided to restructure the
League (in their favour)
 The New League under Athens
and the leadership of Pericles
headquarters, meetings and treasury moved to Athens
Why? The League had tried to free Cyprus and Egypt from
Persian rule and lost a fleet of 100 ships in the Nile to the
Persians in 454 BCE
Persian threat now increased, must protect the money!
only money accepted for contributions, not ships and
crews
easier to control and do what you wish with it
all members must be democratic
League disputes must be heard in Athens courts
new city-states in the Aegean were forced to join
as well
 Results
Delian League becomes Athens Empire
Some city-states join voluntarily because
they gain:
protection from Persian threat and pirates
trade with Athens and her empire
the use of Athens currency: the owls,
most common currency in the Medit.
 The Peloponnesian League
An alliance of city-states under Spartas leadership
and control formed in 478 BCE
Sparta and the city-states of the Peloponnesus
in peacetimeeach city-state completely
independent
in wartimeeach city-state was to supply troops to
fight under Sparta command
members could war with each other IF no external
enemy is threatening the League
Essentially, because Sparta has the military might,
Sparta has control of the Peloponnesus.
 Rivalry of Athens and Sparta
Athens rebuilds its walls
Helot Revolt 462 BCE
Sparta asks Athens for help in crushing it
Athens arrives to help, Sparta refuses and sends them back
home
Athens completely insulted, hates Sparta even more
Athens extends land empire ca. 460 BCE
Sparta doesnt want them to do this, threatens their own
empires power base
increases tensions between the two city-states, begins the
1st Peloponnesian War, but ends in 445 BCE
Athens continues to expand, rivalry continues
Characteristic Sparta Athens
power base land sea (naval)
political conservative radical/liberal
philosophy
type of oligarchy democracy
government
Attitude toward conservative, closed, progressive, expansive
trade
Attitude toward conservative, restricted progressive, expansive
wealth
Attitude toward conservative, regressive progressive, innovative, expansive
culture
Goal of society keep and maintain status quo expand and grow
Interests narrow, mainly of self-protection wide, including extension of power
and preservation and wealth