How was Athens an empire?

In the years after 460, the Delian League became the Athenian Empire. From 460-454, the Athenians fought in Egypt against the Persians. They were defeated when Artaxerxes sent a large force against the Egyptians. That marked the beginnings of an Athenian Land Empire, which was to last a decade.

Why was Athens an empire?

Under the Athenian Pericles, the Athenians moved the treasury of the league to Athens. The city also continued to consolidate and take monetary resources, increasing its wealth and power. The cities and regions that followed Athens essentially formed an empire under Athens’ leadership by the 450s.

Was ancient Athens an empire?

Delian League (“Athenian Empire”) shown in yellow, Athenian territory shown in red, situation in 431 BC, before the Peloponnesian War. Athenian democracy was established in 508 BC under Cleisthenes following the tyranny of Isagoras.

What makes something an empire?

Definition. An empire is an aggregate of many separate states or territories under a supreme ruler or oligarchy. An empire is a large polity which rules over territories outside of its original borders.

When did Athenian empire start?

478 BC
Delian League/Founded

Who created the Athenian empire?

Theseus had a special significance not only for Cimon but for the Athenian empire in general. It was Theseus who, according to the myth, had founded the great Ionian festival at Delos called the Delia, which Athens was to revive with much pomp in 426.

What made Athens great?

Athens was the largest and most influential of the Greek city-states. It had many fine buildings and was named after Athena, the goddess of wisdom and warfare. The Athenians invented democracy, a new type of government where every citizen could vote on important issues, such as whether or not to declare war.

Who built Athens?

According to Greek mythology, the first city of Athens was Phoenician and Cecrops was the king who founded it. The city of Athens was officially created the day the Gods decided to have a contest: the growing city would be named after the deity who would offer to mortals the most useful gift.

How empires are built?

But empires are created in a variety of ways. A territorial empire is an empire that is gained through direct military conquest — an empire taken by direct force. A hegemonic empire, on the other hand, is an empire that is created by exerting influence and coercing other states into doing things.

What made Athens successful?

Athens developed democratic institutions and a culture of philosophy, science, and culture; it emerged as a powerful state and allied with other city-states, forming the Delian League. Resistance to Athens’ power among the other Greek city-states, particularly Sparta, prompted the Peloponnesian War.

When did the Athenian empire fall?

In the fourth and final volume of his magisterial history of the Peloponnesian War, Donald Kagan examines the period from the destruction of Athens’ Sicilian expedition in September of 413 B.C. to the Athenian surrender to Sparta in the spring of 404 B.C. Through his study of this last decade of the war, Kagan …

How did Athens rule after it gained its empire?

Athens continued to rule by decree alone. Their empire was well and truly established. “After the Athenians had gained their empire, they treated their allies rather dictatorially, except for Chios, Lesbos and Samos.

How did Athenian imperialism lead to radical democracy?

Athens’ policies of extreme imperialism came about during a time of what some refer to as “radical” democracy. It was during this time that significant reforms were set in place. Athenian citizens could participate on juries, for the first time in the city’s history.

What did Athens do with the dues paid by other cities?

With the dues paid by the other allied cities, the Athenian government builds up their already impressive navy and begins a series of successful military engagements against the Persian armies. Athens collects the looted treasures of the cities they conquer while continuing to receive dues from member states.

How did the Athenians benefit from the Persian Wars?

Men like Cimon, an Athenian general who was the son of the hero of the Battle of Marathon, continued to cement his place within his cities most privileged faction with each victory over the Persian forces. The Athenian commoners, perhaps surprisingly, also benefited from the continued existence of the Delian League and the military campaigns.