Rise of Athenian power postPersian War from "summary" of The Histories by Herodotus
After the Persian War, Athens emerged as a dominant power in the Greek world. The Athenians, emboldened by their victory over the Persians, began to assert their influence over the other Greek city-states. They used their newfound wealth and resources to build a powerful navy, which they used to establish a maritime empire stretching from the Aegean to the Black Sea. The Athenians also established the Delian League, a military alliance of Greek city-states aimed at defending against further Persian aggression. However, over time, the Delian League became more of an Athenian empire, with Athens using its military and economic power to dominate its allies and extract tribute from them. Athens also experienced a cultural renaissance during this period, with the city becoming a center of art, philosophy, and literature. The Athenian statesman Pericles played a crucial role in this cultural flourishing, using the city's wealth to support artists and intellectuals. However, Athens' rise to power was not without opposition. Sparta, another powerful Greek city-state, viewed Athens' growing influence with suspicion and eventually led a coalition of city-states against Athens in the Peloponnesian War. The war would ultimately lead to Athens' defeat and the end of its dominance in the Greek world. Despite this eventual downfall, the rise of Athenian power post-Persian War remains a pivotal moment in ancient Greek history. The Athenians' achievements in art, philosophy, and politics during this period continue to influence Western culture to this day.
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