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Athenian empire
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Historical map showing the Athenian Empire at its greatest extent, with the empire's territory shaded in green along the coasts of the Aegean Sea, parts of western Asia Minor, and the northern Aegean. Numerous black dots mark Athenian cities and islands, including Athens, Samos, Rhodes, and Byzantium. Major surrounding seas such as the Aegean, Mediterranean, and Black Sea are labeled.
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Athenian empire

historical empire, Europe
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Historical map showing the Athenian Empire at its greatest extent, with the empire's territory shaded in green along the coasts of the Aegean Sea, parts of western Asia Minor, and the northern Aegean. Numerous black dots mark Athenian cities and islands, including Athens, Samos, Rhodes, and Byzantium. Major surrounding seas such as the Aegean, Mediterranean, and Black Sea are labeled.
Athenian empire at its greatest extent The Athenian empire at its greatest extent.

The Athenian empire, also known as the Delian League, was a confederacy of ancient Greek states founded in 478 BCE under the leadership of Athens. Initially formed to defend against Persia, Athens gradually transformed the league into an empire, controlling its members through tribute and interference in their internal affairs.1

Key aspects of the Athenian empire include:
* Formation: Established after the Greco-Persian Wars, with Athens as the dominant power.1
* Expansion: Athens expanded its influence through military campaigns and by imposing its will on allied states.12
* Control: Members were required to pay tribute, and Athens exerted significant control over their politics and legal systems.13
* Resentment: Economic grievances, such as tribute payments and land ownership by Athenians, led to resentment among tributary states.3
* Decline: The empire faced revolts and ultimately declined, being disbanded in 404 BCE after Athens' defeat in the Peloponnesian War.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
5 Britannica Sources
  1. Delian League
  2. ancient Greek civilization - Strains on Greek unity
  3. ancient Greek civilization - Economic sources of resentment
  4. ancient Greek civilization - The scale of Athenian ambition
  5. Athens - Athensā€™s expansion

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