Naval Army of Athens, Sparta, and Persian Wars on Mainland Greece
Persian wars had a prominent imprint on greek history. King Xerxes invaded Greece with a land army of hundreds of thousands and over 1200 fleets.
Xerxes assumed that Greece would fall quickly to Persian annexation. However, 31 greek cities joined to confront him.
The Navy of Athens was a strong bloc to defeat the Persians. In 478 BC, Athenians formed an anti-Persian naval league (or Delian league) because of their naval strength.
Allies in the Delian league were all over the Mediterranean area, Asia Minor, & North Aegean. Allies used to contribute ships and money to the advancement of Athens.
This Delian League rapidly transformed into Athenian Empire, which helped Athens to become the most essential & powerful city in Greece.
Athens emerged as a superpower, but not too long, it went into clashes with Sparta, which threatened the Delian league.
Spartans had a great influence on greek affairs due to the Peloponnesian league. (An alliance of ancient Greek city-states, dominated by Sparta & centered on the Peloponnese.)
Athenian Naval victories favored Greece but they also severely affected the reputation of the spartan military during the Persian war. Spartans growing concern in…
