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

Some topics in this essay:
Peter Garnsey, AD Despite, Athenian Thucydides, Persia” Hornblower, Thucydides Plutarch, Delphi Athenian, Thiry Peace, Simon Hornblower, Italy” Hornblower, Argos Thessaly, foreign policy, athenian foreign policy, · athenian, athenian foreign, towards persia, aggression towards, aggression towards persia, delian league, ancient sources, athenian alliance, hornblower explains, alliance sparta, spartan invasion boiotia, foreign policy centred,