The Delian League

Image: Pericles, the Athenian politician who led Athens through much of her 'golden age'

The Delian League emerged after the second failed Persian invasion attempt in 480 BCE led by emperor Xerxes, successor and son of King Darius I who led to the first failed Persian invasion attempt in 490 BCE and dissolved after the Peloponnesian War (404 BCE) where Athenians surrendered to the Spartans.

The League housed its treasury in the island of Delos from where the League name derives. League members periodically meted in the island of Delos to decide policy. The most important objectives of this league were

1. Gain both revenge against and reimbursements from the Persian empower
2. free all Greek island from Persian control
3. Defend Greek poleis freedoms from invader

Image: Thucydides, whose history provides many of the details of this period

The Delian League achieved some great achievements and extension under Athenian leadership. On the other hand, Athens’ extensive meddling, restrictions, and domination of other Greek poleis all over the Aegean Sea and Greek mainland drive the Delian League into a huge conflict against the other powerful polies of Ancient Greece which led to the Greek civil war the great “Peloponnesian War” that eventually destroyed it. The Delian League’s practically unprecedented achievements ultimately led to its ruination.