--- title: Delian League author: Mark Cartwright source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Delian_League/ format: machine-readable-alternate license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) updated: 2023-03-31 --- # Delian League _Authored by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/)_ The Delian League (or Athenian League) was an alliance of [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/)-states led by [Athens](https://www.worldhistory.org/Athens/). The league was formed in 478 BCE to liberate eastern Greek [cities](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) from Persian rule. The league was then used as a defence against possible revenge attacks from [Persia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Persia/) following the Greek victories at [Marathon](https://www.worldhistory.org/marathon/), [Salamis](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Salamis/), and [Plataea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Plataea/) in the early 5th century BCE. The alliance of over 300 cities within the League would eventually be so dominated by Athens that, in effect, it evolved into the Athenian [empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/). Athens became increasingly more aggressive in its control of the alliance and, on occasion, constrained membership by military force and compelled continued tribute which was in the form of money, ships or materials. Following Athens' defeat at the hands of [Sparta](https://www.worldhistory.org/sparta/) in the [Peloponnesian War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Peloponnesian_War/) in 404 BCE the League was dissolved. ### Membership & Tribute The name Delian League is a modern one, the ancient sources refer to it as simply 'the alliance' (*symmachia*) or 'Athens and its allies'. The name is appropriate because the treasury of the alliance was located on the sacred island of [Delos](https://www.worldhistory.org/delos/) in the [Cyclades](https://www.worldhistory.org/Cyclades/). The number of members of the League changed over time but around 330 are recorded in tribute lists; sources which are known to be incomplete. The majority of states were from [Ionia](https://www.worldhistory.org/ionia/) and the islands but most parts of [Greece](https://www.worldhistory.org/greece/) were represented and later there were even some non-Greek members such as the Carian city-states. Prominent members included: - [Aegina](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aegina/) - [Byzantium](https://www.worldhistory.org/Byzantium/) - Chios - [Lesbos](https://www.worldhistory.org/lesbos/) - Lindos - [Naxos](https://www.worldhistory.org/Naxos/) - [Paros](https://www.worldhistory.org/Paros/) - [Samos](https://www.worldhistory.org/samos/) - Thasos and many other cities across the [Aegean](https://www.worldhistory.org/aegean/), in Ionia, the Hellespont, and Propontis. Initially members swore to hold the same enemies and allies by taking an oath. It is likely that each [city-state](https://www.worldhistory.org/Polis/) had an equal vote in meetings held on Delos. Members were expected to give tribute (*phoros*) to the treasury which was used to build and maintain the naval fleet led by Athens. Significantly too, the treasury was controlled by Athenian treasurers, the ten *Hellenotamiae*. The tribute in the early stages was 460 talents (raised in 425 BCE to 1,500), a figure decided by Athenian statesman and general [Aristides](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aristides/). An alternative to providing money was to give ships and/or materials (especially timber) and grain. ### What Were the Delian League's Successes & Failures? The Delian League enjoyed some notable military victories such as at Eion, the Thracian Chersonese, and most famously, at the [Battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) of Eurymedon in 466 BCE, all against Persian forces. As a consequence Persian garrisons were removed from Thrace and Chersonesus. In 450 BCE the League seemed to have achieved its aim if the Peace of Kallias is to be considered genuine. Here the Persians were limited in their field of influence and direct hostilities ended between Greece and Persia. Other successes of the League were not military but economic and political, making them more difficult to determine in their significance and real effect for all members. [Piracy](https://www.worldhistory.org/Piracy/) was practically eliminated in the Aegean, inter-city [trade](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/trade/) increased, a common [coinage](https://www.worldhistory.org/coinage/) was introduced (the Athenian [silver](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silver/) tetradrachm), taxation became centralised, democracy as a form of government was promoted, the judiciary of Athens was accessible to member's citizens, and such tools as measurement standards became uniform across the Aegean. The primary beneficiary of all of these was certainly Athens and the massive re-building project of the city, begun by [Pericles](https://www.worldhistory.org/pericles/) and which included the [Parthenon](https://www.worldhistory.org/parthenon/), was partially funded by the League treasury. [ ![Athenian Silver Tetradrachm](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/3181.jpg?v=1776249024-1725950551) Athenian Silver Tetradrachm Mark Cartwright (CC BY-NC-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3181/athenian-silver-tetradrachm/ "Athenian Silver Tetradrachm")The League and its requirement of tribute was not always to the liking of its members and some did try and leave, especially as the threat from Persia gradually receded and the calls for tribute increased. A notable example is Naxos who sought to secede c. 467 BCE. Athens responded in dramatic fashion by attacking the island and making it a semi-dependency, albeit with a lower tribute. Thasos was another member who disagreed with Athens and wanted to keep control of its mines and trade centres. Again, the Athenians responded with force in 465 BCE and lay siege to the city for three years. Eventually, Thasos capitulated. ### From Alliance to Empire to Collapse Already looking like an Athenian empire, two further episodes changed the League forever. In 460 BCE the First Peloponnesian [War](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) broke out between Athens, [Corinth](https://www.worldhistory.org/corinth/), Sparta, and their allies. For the first time the League was being used against Greek city-states and Persia was off the agenda. Then c. 454 BCE Athens used the excuse of a failed League expedition in [Egypt](https://www.worldhistory.org/egypt/) (to aid the anti-Persian prince Inarus) to move the League treasury to Athens. The League became, thenceforth, ever more difficult to keep in toe. In 446 BCE Athens lost the Battle of Koroneia and had to repress a major revolt in Euboea. An even more serious episode occurred when fighting between Samos and Miletos (both League members) was escalated by Athens into a war. Again the Athenians' superior resources brought them victory in 439 BCE. Yet another revolt broke out in Poteidaia in 432 BCE which brought Athens and the Delian League in direct opposition to Sparta's own alliance, the [Peloponnesian League](https://www.worldhistory.org/Peloponnesian_League/). This second and much more damaging Peloponnesian War (432-404 BCE) against a Persian-backed Sparta would eventually, after 30 years of gruelling and resource-draining conflicts, bring Athens to her knees and ring the [death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/) knell for the Delian League. Such disastrous defeats as the 415 BCE Sicilian Expedition and the brutal execution of all males on rebellious Melos the previous year were indicators of the desperate times. Athens' glory days were gone and with them, so too, the Delian League. ### Conclusion The benefits of the League had been, certainly, mostly for the Athenians, nevertheless, it is significant that the realistic alternative – Spartan rule – would not have been and, from 404 BCE, was not any more popular for the lesser states of Greece. This is perhaps indicated by their willingness to re-join with, albeit a weaker and more militarily passive, Athens in the Second Athenian Confederacy from 377 BCE. *Learn more about the Delian League in this series of articles:* - *[The Delian League, Part 1](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/946/the-delian-league-part-1-origins-down-to-the-battl/): Origins Down to the Battle of Eurymedon (480/79-465/4 BCE)* - *[The Delian League, Part 2](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/948/the-delian-league-part-2-from-eurymedon-to-the-thi/): From Eurymedon to the Thirty Years Peace (465/4-445/4 BCE)* - *[The Delian League, Part 3](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/949/the-delian-league-part-3-from-the-thirty-years-pea/): From the Thirty Years Peace to the Start of the Ten Years War (445/4–431/0 BCE)* - *[The Delian League, Part 4](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/950/the-delian-league-part-4-the-ten-years-war-4310-42/): The Ten Years War (431/0-421/0 BCE)* - *[The Delian League, Part 5](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/952/the-delian-league-part-5-the-peace-of-nicias-quadr/): The Peace of [Nicias](https://www.worldhistory.org/Nicias/), Quadruple Alliance, and Sicilian Expedition (421/0-413/2 BCE)* - *[The Delian League, Part 6](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/955/the-delian-league-part-6-the-decelean-war-and-the/): The Decelean War and the Fall of Athens (413/2-404/3 BCE)* #### Editorial Review This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/). ## Bibliography - Bagnall, R. et al. *The Encylopedia of Ancient History.* Wiley-Blackwell - [Campbell, B. *The Oxford Handbook of Warfare in the Classical World.* Oxford University Press, 2013.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0195304659/) - [Hornblower, S. *The Oxford Classical Dictionary.* Oxford University Press, 2012.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0199545561/) - [Kinzl, H. *A Companion to the Classical Greek World.* Wiley-Blackwell, 2010.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/1444334123/) - [Thucydides. *The Landmark Thucydides.* Free Press, 2008.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/1416590870/) ## About the Author Mark is WHE’s Publishing Director and has an MA in Political Philosophy (University of York). He is a full-time researcher, writer, historian and editor. Special interests include art, architecture and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share. ## Timeline - **479 BCE - 478 BCE**: Combined [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) operations in the Hellespont and [Cyprus](https://www.worldhistory.org/cyprus/). - **478 BCE**: [Samos](https://www.worldhistory.org/samos/) becomes a member of the [Delian League](https://www.worldhistory.org/Delian_League/). - **478 BCE**: Many Cycladic states join the Athenian led [Delian League](https://www.worldhistory.org/Delian_League/) as a defence against Persian agression. - **478 BCE - 454 BCE**: The treasury of the [Delian League](https://www.worldhistory.org/Delian_League/) is kept on [Delos](https://www.worldhistory.org/delos/) until its removal to [Athens](https://www.worldhistory.org/Athens/). - **478 BCE - 404 BCE**: The [Delian League](https://www.worldhistory.org/Delian_League/) in [Greece](https://www.worldhistory.org/greece/), led by [Athens](https://www.worldhistory.org/Athens/). - **476 BCE - 463 BCE**: [Delian League](https://www.worldhistory.org/Delian_League/) operations are led by Athenian commander [Cimon](https://www.worldhistory.org/cimon/) - **c. 475 BCE**: Athenian general [Cimon](https://www.worldhistory.org/cimon/) drives the Dolopian pirates out of the [Aegean](https://www.worldhistory.org/aegean/) island of Scyros. - **c. 475 BCE**: Athenian general [Cimon](https://www.worldhistory.org/cimon/) defeats Spartan general [Pausanias](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Pausanias/) and takes [Byzantium](https://www.worldhistory.org/Byzantium/). - **475 BCE**: [Cimon](https://www.worldhistory.org/cimon/) captures Eion in Thrace for [Athens](https://www.worldhistory.org/Athens/). - **c. 472 BCE**: Carystos forced to join the [Delian League](https://www.worldhistory.org/Delian_League/). - **c. 470 BCE - c. 469 BCE**: Attempted secession of [Naxos](https://www.worldhistory.org/Naxos/) from the [Delian League](https://www.worldhistory.org/Delian_League/). It is defeated and enslaved. - **c. 467 BCE**: The island of [Naxos](https://www.worldhistory.org/Naxos/) rebels against Athenian dominance of the [Delian League](https://www.worldhistory.org/Delian_League/). - **c. 466 BCE**: Athenian general [Cimon](https://www.worldhistory.org/cimon/) twice defeats the Persians at Eurymedon on the southern coast of [Asia Minor](https://www.worldhistory.org/Asia_Minor/). - **c. 465 BCE**: Secession of Thasos. - **465 BCE - 463 BCE**: Athenian general [Cimon](https://www.worldhistory.org/cimon/) conquers Chersonesus in Thrace and the north-[Aegean](https://www.worldhistory.org/aegean/) island of Thasos. - **464 BCE - 463 BCE**: [Earthquake](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/earthquake/) in [Sparta](https://www.worldhistory.org/sparta/), followed by slave revolt. Surrender of Thasos. - **462 BCE - 461 BCE**: Radicalisation of democracy in [Athens](https://www.worldhistory.org/Athens/); [Cimon](https://www.worldhistory.org/cimon/) exiled, [Pericles](https://www.worldhistory.org/pericles/) comes to exercise influence. - **460 BCE - 459 BCE**: [Megara](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Megara/) switches sides to [Athens](https://www.worldhistory.org/Athens/); outbreak of [war](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) with the Peloponnesians & Athenians initially victorious. - **c. 457 BCE - 454 BCE**: Large expedition to [Egypt](https://www.worldhistory.org/egypt/), to aid rebels against Persian rule. - **456 BCE - 455 BCE**: Athenians spread their power in northern [Peloponnese](https://www.worldhistory.org/Peloponnese/). - **454 BCE**: Failure of [Egyptian](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Egyptian/) expedition; some [Delian League](https://www.worldhistory.org/Delian_League/) members unsuccessfully revolt. Removal of League treasury from [Delos](https://www.worldhistory.org/delos/) to [Athens](https://www.worldhistory.org/Athens/). - **451 BCE - 450 BCE**: Peace between [Argos](https://www.worldhistory.org/argos/) and [Sparta](https://www.worldhistory.org/sparta/). [Athens](https://www.worldhistory.org/Athens/) and Sparta conclude five-year truce. - **450 BCE**: Athenian general [Cimon](https://www.worldhistory.org/cimon/) dies on [Cyprus](https://www.worldhistory.org/cyprus/) fighting the Persians. - **447 BCE - 446 BCE**: Boeotian [cities](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) revolt against [Athens](https://www.worldhistory.org/Athens/). Secessions in Euboea and [Megara](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Megara/). - **446 BCE - 445 BCE**: Spartans invade Attica. Thirty Years' Peace between [Athens](https://www.worldhistory.org/Athens/) and [Sparta](https://www.worldhistory.org/sparta/). - **441 BCE**: Revolt of [Samos](https://www.worldhistory.org/samos/). - **436 BCE - 435 BCE**: Expedition of [Pericles](https://www.worldhistory.org/pericles/) into the Black Sea. [Corcyra](https://www.worldhistory.org/corcyra/)/Epidamnus affair draws in [Corinth](https://www.worldhistory.org/corinth/) and the Athenians. - **433 BCE - 432 BCE**: [Athens](https://www.worldhistory.org/Athens/) concludes treaties with Italiot and Siceliot [cities](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/). Megarian decree commercially isolates [Megara](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Megara/). - **432 BCE**: Secession of Potidaea involves Corinthians. - **431 BCE - 404 BCE**: The 2nd [Peloponnesian War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Peloponnesian_War/) between [Athens](https://www.worldhistory.org/Athens/) and [Sparta](https://www.worldhistory.org/sparta/) (the [Delian League](https://www.worldhistory.org/Delian_League/) and the [Peloponnesian League](https://www.worldhistory.org/Peloponnesian_League/)) which involved all of [Greece](https://www.worldhistory.org/greece/). - **428 BCE**: Mytilene on [Lesbos](https://www.worldhistory.org/lesbos/) unsuccessfully revolts against the Athenian domination of the [Delian League](https://www.worldhistory.org/Delian_League/). - **427 BCE**: First Athenian expedition to [Sicily](https://www.worldhistory.org/sicily/). - **421 BCE**: Peace of [Nicias](https://www.worldhistory.org/Nicias/), a truce between the Delian and Peloponnesian Leagues. - **421 BCE - 416 BCE**: "Cold [war](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/)' between [Athens](https://www.worldhistory.org/Athens/) and [Corinth](https://www.worldhistory.org/corinth/). - **415 BCE - 413 BCE**: Great Athenian expedition to [Sicily](https://www.worldhistory.org/sicily/) ends in failure. - **413 BCE**: Wholesale revolt of [Delian League](https://www.worldhistory.org/Delian_League/) members; [War](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) recommences. Spartans and Corinthians gain advantage from League seccessions and help from the Persians. - **404 BCE**: [Athens](https://www.worldhistory.org/Athens/) loses the [Peloponnesian War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Peloponnesian_War/); the [Delian League](https://www.worldhistory.org/Delian_League/) is dissolved. ## Questions & Answers ### What was the Delian League and what did it do? The Delian League was an alliance of Greek city-states created as a defence to Persian aggression since each member swore to defend another if attacked. Athens came to dominate the League and use it to raise cash. It is named after the original treasury headquarters on the island of Delos. ### Who was in the Delian League? The Delian League was composed of 330 city-states at its peak. Athens was very much the leader and dominant polis. ### Why did the Delian League fail? The Delian League collapsed because Athens came to dominate it and demand payment from members. Some city-states refused and were attacked by the Athenians, notably Naxos. During the Peloponnesian War, many considered the League as simply being the Athenian Empire and when Athens lost the war to Sparta, so the League was dissolved. ## External Links - [Oops.](https://h2g2.com/A14481777) ## Cite This Work ### APA Cartwright, M. (2016, March 04). Delian League. *World History Encyclopedia*. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Delian\_League/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Delian_League/) ### Chicago Cartwright, Mark. "Delian League." *World History Encyclopedia*, March 04, 2016. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Delian\_League/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Delian_League/). ### MLA Cartwright, Mark. "Delian League." *World History Encyclopedia*, 04 Mar 2016, [https://www.worldhistory.org/Delian\_League/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Delian_League/). ## License & Copyright Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 04 March 2016. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.