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Road to the Peloponnesian War

Athenian Tyranny

Following the First Peloponnesian war, Athens had tightened their grip on the Delian League and their Empire by:

1. ending the meeting of the Delian League. The allies no longer had a voice in the assembly as Athenian assembly alone made the decisions for the league showing the dictatorial attitude of the Delian leaders.
2. Becoming more tyrannic in their actions towards members. In 453 BC, Erythrae separated from the league but Athens regained power and forced it to rejoin the league. Moreover, the League had forced the city to establish a democratic style government, and placed an Athenian garrison in the area to prevent it from causing any more problems. Like Erythrae, the once allies of Athens, Miletus, also revolted and had the same fate as Erythrae, but also had their major trials transferred to Athens.
3. Interfering in allied judicial affairs by having major trial so of the allies held in Athens, and smaller trials could be held in the cities. This was a direct benefit for Athens who would have a stronger economy from all the travel that went to Athens during major trials. Also they had a paid jury system that would benefit the lower Athenian classes by giving them income by being part of the jury. Athens argued that it created a uniform judicial system in the Empire but only Athens benefited.
4. Interfering in religious matters of the allies through the Erythrae Decree implemented by Athenian Cleinias in 448 BC. This called for all allies to come to the Athenian festival of the Panathenia where they had to bring sacrifice of a cow and a panoply (suit of armor) to symbolically show the economic and military dependence of the allies on Athens. As a result Athens had more income for the city through tourism where all the merchants prospered as they tightened tribute.
5. Interfering in economic matters of the allies mainly through the Coinage Decree in 448 BC. The decree prevented other allies from minting their own coins, and Athens justified this by claims that it would create a uniform economic system. Yet, only Athens could mint coins and they called for all the other allies to send in all of their coins so Athens could mint some for them. Athens also charged a fee to have the coins minted which showed the direct economic benefit to Athens, which created a surplus to the city and Athens became wealthier.
6. Taking 5000 talents of tribute from the Delian treasury and transferring it to the Athenian treasury. From this, 200 talents per year went to the rebuilding of the Athenian Acropolis.
7. Settling cleruchy's throughout the empire to watch over the allies. All of these activities of the Athenians made the allies angry and made them question the true significance of the Delian League. Was it really for the prevention of Persian invasions or was it to create an Athenian Empire? Either way, Athens had lost favor in the eyes of many of the members of the Delian League through out the 440's BC.

   This conflict around 448 BC was once again based around the sacred city of Delphi and was significant because it caused Athens to break their truce with Sparta. The Athenian ally of Phocis had taken much influence over Delphi which prevented the Spartans from having equal representation in the Amphictyonic League, thus, causing them to take Delhpi and return the sanctuary to the people of the city. However, Athens becomes enraged because of Spartan activities and takes back Delphi and returns it to Phocis. As a result, Phocis allowed Athens to always consult the oracle first. This event showed indirect hostilities between Sparta and Athens where there was no open clash, but there were heightened tensions.

   These events brought a rise in power of the Athenians who held a power that they could not control.