Growth of Athenian Empire
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Growth of Athenian Empire Changes from League to Empire “Thus, from the first; Athens had in her hands the means of gradually and without any violent revolution, transforming the naval league into a naval empire” (Bury and Meiggs) Delian League’s campaigns • Eion (476) – Taking Persian military post o Initial purpose of the league • Scyros (475) – Invading and colonizing pirate city o Diverts from leagues purpose o Sending Cleruchies • Carystus (473) – Invading an independent city and forcing them to join the league o Forced to join against will, first act of hegemony • Naxos (469) – Ionian city left the league invaded and forced to come back and pay tribute o Proves that members cannot leave and that they can use their hegemon to subdue other members o First subjugation of another member • Eurymedon (469) – Battle against Persia o The initial purpose fulfilled however members forced to continue supplying ships or tribute o Power and prestige • Thasos (465) – Dispute with Athens over their mines, left league, invaded and forced to come back and pay tribute o Despite fulfilling purpose members unable to leave league o Uses league to subjugate its own member o Sparta willing to fight Athens o Despite there likely being many activities over the 13 year period these 6 were chosen as they best demonstrate the actions taken Athens to become an empire • He served as a catalyst, using the Delian forces as his medium, to consolidate Athenian power over her allies and subjugate the league into an future empire Athens was able to transform the Delian League into an Empire through the member states unwillingness to serve abroad on campaigns. According to Plutarch “the Greeks who did not take part in military campaigns… became tributaries and slaves instead of allies”. This was caused by Cimon encouraging member states to contribute money to the league instead of ships. This money was spent by Athens to build and man their own fleets as the member states sat idle and completely reliant upon Athenian protection. This allowed Athens to become more powerful and when member states did not follow their will or revolted they could be easily crushed and forced to become subjects of Athens. Political • After states had been subjugated by the Athenians, they tightened their control of these states through political influence Obedience • Cancellation of Delian League meetings c454 • Set up garrisons in rebellious states to ensure obedience and protect Athenian officials positioned here eg commissioners and inspectors • Set up political officials to control the Empire and ensure obedience o Archontes were traveling Athenian officials that inspected allies to ensure there’s no trouble • Oaths of loyalty and obedience sworn to Athens by subject states o “I shall carry out my oath… to the people of Erythrae, Athens and the allies” (Decree of Erythrae) (454) o After subduing Euboea all citizens of Chalcis swear “I will be obedient to the Athenian people” (Chalcis Decree) (446) o Change in oaths from loyalty to Delian League to only Athens demonstrates the key changes in how the League was becoming an Athenian empire. • Replaced oligarchic and tyrannical states with democracies and interfered with individual state affairs o Samos replaced with democracy from oligarchy (439) • Sent out lower class Athenians to subject states to influence political attitudes and represent Athenian ideals à raised to hoplite status (Cleruchie) (sent to Scyros 474) o “Impanted a healthy fear of rebellion” Pl • Acc to the Chalcis Decree (446) Athens becoming involved in ally’s judicial affairs referring foreign trials to Athenian courts. o Capital crimes of allies would be settled in Athenian courts - This shows how Athens interfered with internal affairs of subject states. Economic • Receives 460 talents in the first year of Leagues existence (c477) acc Th • Approx 1000 talents every year after that • 6,000 reserve talents in own treasury by 431 acc Th • Monopoly of trade throughout the Aegean through the dominance of their navy o Set up Hellespontophylakes who would control trade through the Hellespont • Hellenotamiae were Athenian treasurers that collected the phorus – right from start Athens had control of money even while at Delos. • Athenian Tribute Lists o Show clear increases in phorus over time o Aegina and Thasos went from paying 300 drachmae to 30 talents o 1/60 of the tribute went to Athena • 454 Leagues treasury moves from Delos to Athens àgreater control over Leagues finances • Coinage Decree 446 made the Athenian currency, weights and measurements used throughout allied and member states and melted down each states individual one o Takes away their individual identity o Confirming Athenian superiority .