The First Peloponnesian War

Athens Takes Control of the Delian League

578 BCE

The aim of the league was to provide independent city-states with protection, if the Persians or other foreigners were to attack

Battle at Salamis

480 BCE

A battle in which Greece defeated the Persians, it marked the beginning of the end of the Greco-Persian war, as afterwards there were only a series of smaller conflicts for five or so years.

Athenian Power Grows, the Construction of the Long Walls begins

479 BCE

As taxes began flowing in to Athens from the other city-states, they were able to rebuild areas damaged during the Persian invasion and strengthen their defenses. This meant that they were protected by both land and sea, and hence made it other for other city-states to challenge their power

Athens breaks Alliance with Sparta, Due to Sparta's Alliance with Corinth

461 BCE

Previously Athens had encroached upon Corinth's territory, causing tensions between the two states. It also gave Athens a reason and way to distance themselves from Sparta, as their growth in power had begun to unsettle the Spartans.

Outbreak of the first Peloponnesian war

460 BCE

Growing tensions result in battles breaking out

Sparta and Athens become Openly Hostile

460 BCE

Sparta raids and burns the countryside around Athens, however cannot breach the walls constructed around the city-state. Athens on the other hand attacks Spartan allies by sea, but does not engage in conflict on land.

Megara joins the Delian League

460 BCE

A crucial moment, ad previously Megara was allied with Sparta. This shift in sides increased tensions between the two main city-states, but also gave Athens a buffer zone between them and Corinth, a Spartan ally.

Athens moves treasury from the island of Delos to Athens

454 BCE

A marker of Athens becoming more tyrannical in its rule, the independence of city-states apart of the Delian league is lessened and those which attempt to leave were attacked. In some cases destroyed and its people enslaved (see the island of Melos)

Five Years Peace between Sparta and Athens

451 BCE

Concluding that neither side could reach a clean victory, at least not without heavy losses, peace is agreed upon. It does not last and both prepare for conflict while the peace is still in place.

Athens and Sparta agree to 30 Years Peace

446 BCE

Lasts less than half of the agreed time, both begin planning and making underhanded attacks, which are not strictly prohibited by the agreement, in an attempt to gain the upper hand.

How long the '30 Years Peace' was meant to last

Period: 446 BCE to 416 BCE

End of the First Peloponnesian War

445 BCE

Athenian Golden Age

Period: 440 BCE to 430 BCE

Athens experiences a cultural boom, the arts. philosophy and other such practices develop and become more refined. Trade and tax continually flows in, and the city-state itself experiences the building of large temples etc.