The Persian Wars: The Rise Of The Athenian Empire

The Rise of the Athenian Empire
The Persian Wars had a mighty effect on Greece as a whole. The after effects, however, caused a much larger typhoon of change to radiate through the Aegean, irrevocably changing ancient life. These changes began with Athens’ seize of power to rid Greece of the Persians and form the Delian League. Almost immediately after the end of the Persian Wars, the Delian League served solely to sustain Athens and extend its range of control throughout Greece. This subtle Athenian invasion of its allies began as early as 476/5 with the invasion of Eion and the subsequent seizure of other poleis and the proffering of the Athenian Empire. The invasion was complete by the 450s with the outright takeover of Athens. When combined
They began their rise to power in a subtle claim of authority due to their perceived sacrifices and success in the Persian Wars (Thucydides 1.73). The Athenian delegate to Sparta spoke of how Athens deserved the head of the Delian League because they had provided soldiers and ships during the Persian War. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of the Athenians' decision to sacrifice their city as the key to victory. Finally, the delegate issued a veiled threat by reminding them that Athens was the most powerful polis among those represented and history demonstrated the dire consequences experienced by those who challenge Athens. This demand for respect was the first step in subjugating their fellow poleis because Athens had presented itself as the one who had worked the hardest for communal success. Athens was then able to continue its slow march to complete command by implementing other methods of
In “Regulations imposed by the Athenians on Erythrae” (Fornara 70), the people of Erythrae were made to swear that they “...shall not rebel from the People of the Athenians or from (the) allies of the Athenians…” (Fornara 71). The phrasing indicates that Athens was in a special position within the League. Athens was allowed to secure a strong foothold at the top of the Greek poleis power pyramid and was the next step for becoming a fully- fledged Empire. The leadership position the polis took demonstrates that Athens had sealed its command by the 450s, less than 20 years after the first actions of the Athenian Empire. The “Athenian Decree Enforcing the Use of Athenian Coins, Weights, and Measures” (Fornara 105) around 450 BC does more than simply subjugate the poleis to Athenian economic control, it is also a strong indicator that Athens was already an empire, despite remaining hidden behind the mask of the Delian League. This completes Athens’ transition from member to leader. The demand to solely use Athenian currencies and measurements is a mark of an empire since a league made of equal powers (such as the United Nations) would have no need to ensure that all monetary systems were the same. The economic control given to Athens through the use of Athenian coins is expansive. It undermines other poleis economies by