1. Delian League and Spartan Confederacy
9/13/11

2. (c) PIH 2007. All rights reserved.
What Really Happened….
(c) PIH All rights reserved.

3. Allegiances Delian League Spartan Confederacy Argos Melos Corcyria
Corinth
Thebes
Pylos
Neutral
Macedonia

4. The Delian League
Initially formed to continue the naval war against Persia
To protect trade routes
Liberate Greek Islands from Persian control

5. Purposes of Spartan Confederacy
A mutual desire for security
Support other oligarchy governments
Stop Athenian domination of the Greeks

6. The Leagues Transition
Athens power continued to grow and it began to dominate the Delian League
Sparta became paranoid and suspicious of the Delian leagues intentions. As a result, their members began to encourage action against Athens.

7. New League Goals Delian/Athens Sparta Retain all members
Promote democratic governments
Maintain position of power
Sparta
Prevent Athenian domination
Assist oligarchic governments
Protect other city-states attempting to leave the Delian League

8. What were the purposes and goals of the two leagues?
Discussion!

9. Relationship between Athens and Sparta
During the Persian war Athens and Sparta were allies
For much of the war Sparta was in charge of the Greek alliance against the Persians
After the Delian league was established, Sparta gave up its leadership of the war against Persia
As a result, relations between Athens and Sparta eventually became strained-especially, once Athens began to appear to be establishing an empire

10. How The Delian League Functioned
Athens was made the leader due to naval strength
After becoming a member, city-states had to pay regular fees and supply ships
Initially, each city-state had an equal vote, but Athens eventually took over decision making
Athens was always able to control the majority-ensuring its will was carried out

11. How the Spartan Confederacy Functioned
Offensive and defensive alliance
League councils were used for decision making
Bound together by a mutual desire for security and protection
Leadership of the member city-states was a close knit group of oligarchs
Larger city-states could influence Spartan policy
Geographic proximity of the Peloponnesus strongly influenced league membership
Smaller city-states joined out of fear of Sparta

12. How did the two leagues function?
Discussion!

13. Athenian Perspective on Power
Corcyria:
got involved in a civil war Epidamnus.
It supported a democratic government over an opposing aristocratic government
As a result, the democratic government won
Corcyria was afraid of an attack from Corinth because they had helped the democratic party
Out of fear Corcyria turned to Athens

14. Other Examples of Athenian Perspectives on Power
Melos: A city-state that wanted to stay neutral and was forced to become part of the Athenian Empire. Men were killed, women and children were sold as slaves, and 500 settlers were sent to colonize their island.
Example: Melian Dialogue is a document that describes a conversation between the leaders of Melos and Athenian delegation. Here we see the Athenians demanding submission of Melos. Document is recorded by Thucydides.
“The strong do what they can and the weak submit.”
Aigina, another city-state, tried to leave the Delian League. It was subjected by Athens in a similar way. Its land was ravaged, cities besieged, and navy defeated. They were forced to pay money to Athens on a regular basis.
Read excerpt/stanzas Page 222 in Kickliter book…I’ll bring it.

15. Spartan Perspective on Power
Corinth:
Allied with Sparta since the Persian War and possibly before.
Corinth mainly joined Sparta due to its rivalry with Athens.
Athens was perceived as a threat to its communications, trade, and wealth.
Thebes
Neighboring Boeotian city-states were taken over by Athens and made into democracies, therefore, making Thebes isolated as an oligarchy
Turned to Sparta because they shared common interests and government structure
Infanticide
Annual wars on helots to keep them in “Spartan” shape

16. How did the two leagues achieve the allegiance of the city-states mentioned in the examples?
Discussion!

17. How do you think Athens and Sparta demonstrated imperialism?

18. Perspectives of Athens and Sparta
Justified their dominance based on their leadership role in the Persian War
The strength they had developed
Their promotion of democracy
Sparta
Justified their criticism of Athens as a moral crusade against the suppression of unwilling city-states in the Athenian Empire
Felt suspicious of Athens intent and how far they would take their empire

19. What were the perspectives of the two leagues?
Discussion!

20. Do you think these leagues will lead to war or peace?