Delian League facts for kids
The Delian League was a group of Greek city-states. It was formed in 478 BC. The powerful city of Athens led this group. At different times, between 150 and 330 cities were part of the League.
The main goal of the Delian League was to keep fighting the Persian Empire. The Greeks had just won a big battle, the Battle of Plataea. This battle ended the Second Persian invasion of Greece. The League wanted to protect Greece from future Persian attacks.
The League got its name from the island of Delos. This island was its official meeting place. Important meetings were held there in a temple. The League's money, called its treasury, was also kept on Delos. But in 454 BC, a famous Athenian leader named Pericles moved the treasury. He moved it from Delos to Athens.
Contents
Why the League Was Formed
The Delian League was created for a clear reason. After the Persian Wars, many Greek cities felt unsafe. They worried the Persians might attack again. Athens, with its strong navy, offered to lead a defense group. This group became the Delian League. Its members promised to help each other. They also agreed to provide ships or money for the common defense.
Athens's Growing Power
Over time, Athens started to use the League's money for its own projects. This made many smaller cities in the League unhappy. They felt Athens was becoming too powerful. Athens also began to control the League members very strictly. This caused a lot of arguments and bad feelings.
The League and the Peloponnesian War
By 431 BC, the Delian League, led by Athens, was very strong. Its power worried Sparta, another major Greek city-state. Sparta saw Athens and its League as a big threat. The way Athens controlled the League also added to the tension. These problems eventually led to the terrible Peloponnesian War. This war was fought between Athens and Sparta.
End of the Delian League
The Peloponnesian War lasted for many years. It finally ended in 404 BC. Athens lost the war to Sparta. After the war, the Delian League was officially ended. This was ordered by Lysander, a Spartan commander. The League, which started to protect Greece, ended because of conflicts among the Greeks themselves.
Images for kids
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Owl of Athena, patron of Athens.
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Fragment of the Athenian Tribute List, 425–424 BC.
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The Athenian Empire at its height, c. 450 BC.
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Map showing the locations of battles fought by the Delian League, 477–449 BC.
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Greece at the beginning of the Peloponnesian War
See also
In Spanish: Liga de Delos para niños
