Between 479-440 BC, Athenian foreign policy was centred around the following areas:

· Athenian organisation of Greek states under Athenian leadership. Athens was to “Snatch the hegemony” from Sparta and form the Delian league with Athens as the Leader.

· Expansion and preservation of the Delian League, through aggressive military campaigns against foreign states. Policy of conquering states and repressing rebellion of Athenian allies.

· Athenian aggression towards Persia under Kimon – Propaganda informing allies that this ensured “security from Persia” .

· Athenian independence from Sparta. Athens abandoned alliance with Sparta and formed alliances with enemies of Sparta: Argos and Thessaly.

· Further aggression towards Persia – War in Egypt reflecting “Kimonian” policy towards Persia. Athens attempting to assist with rebellion against Persia in Egypt.

· Athenian alliance with Delphic amphiktiony.

· Peace of Kallis – Athenian peace made with Persia, reflected by “Athenians dedicat[ing] an altar of peace”

· Athenian attempts at prevention of Spartan invasion of B

Reasons for the Direction of Athenian Policy

Hornblower attempts to give a reliable account of the events in Greece between 479 and 440 BC, and while his account appears reliable, is it impossible to determine to what extent the details in his history are accurate, as a great deal of his own sources would be incomplete or biased in themselves.

· Athenian intervention with Sparta taking control of Delphi – “handed it back to the Phokians.”

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