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The Peloponnesian War - Page 2 of 17

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The Athenian Empire

In 470, when Naxos wanted to withdraw from the League, Athens refused, arguing that the island was benefiting from the protection of the continued presence of the League's fleet and so must contribute to it. Naxos disagreed and a brief war ensued. Athens defeated the city and dismantled its walls.

 Membership in the League was no longer optional, and increasingly Athens demanded money payments rather than contributions in ships. You will find some books that refer to the Athenian Empire, but such a thing never existed. Rather, Athens used the League in a manner reminiscent of modern imperialism.

 Land Empire Athenian expansion, mostly by treaty, on land rouses Corinth to enmity. In 457 Athens invaded and conquered most of Boeotia. In 449 Pericles transferred the Delian treasury to the Temple of Athena, marking the changing from the Delian League to the Athenian Empire - supposedly because the peace with Persia made the protection of Delos unnecessary.

  

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History of Western Civilization
Dr.Ellis L. Knox
Boise State University
Last Revised 22 June 1995