Athenian Empire

How does Thucydides interpret Athens after the Persian Wars?

• with the outcome in mind (Pelo war)
  - looks at the Spartan perspective
  - did not want Athens to grow too strong

• Looks back at how the empire started

Why did the Spartans recall Pausanias?

• Crimes alleged against him
  - more tyranny than military command
  - accused of collaborating with the Persians

• At the same time they recalled him allies turned their allegiance to Athens

What was the aim of the Delian Leauge

• fighting off the Persians

What does Thucydides seek to find out?

• How the Athenian Empire came about

• Why/How the Pelo war started

• Focuses on the Pentecontateia

factors of the origins of empire

• Post Persian Wars, Athens:
  - rebuilds fortifications
  - concentrates on naval power
  - takes leadership role in the wake of allies’ dissatisfaction with Sparta

• 487: Delian League established
  - athens takes advantage of leadership to build up hegemony

Brief timeline of Athenian Empire

• 478: Foundation of Delian League
  - Themistocles and Aristides

• 470s-460s: First campaigns
  - Cimon

• 461-429: Consolidation
  - pericles

• 420s: Mature Phase
  - Cleon

• 404: Dissolution
  - defeat in the Peloponnesian war

How did the empire work?

• Tribute

• relations with individual communities
  - allied or conquered

• Regulations for all allies/subjects/members

Tribute

• Some communities paid more, others less
  - adjusted every 4 years

• Lapid Primus: Athenian tribute lists from 454/3 to 440/39

Outline the Chalkis decree (446 or 424 BCE)and what it shows

• lays out the relationship and expectations between Athenian council and the Chalkidians
  - Athenians expect to be obeyed but will treat people well

• Prior to being issued Chalkis had been conquered by Athens
  - land confiscated
  - people sent into exile