Apr 23

Delian (Delos) League against the Iranian Empire

Aristides Heads of State – Greek cities and islands which had formed the Delos League with the purpose of group confrontation with Iran threats (the only then super power) – issued a statement in April 478 BC, to justify this act. In this statement the possibility of a third military attack of Iran on the Hellenic world was mentioned as the reason for forming this League. After two heavy attacks of Iran on Greece and fall of Athens, most of the Greeks expected another attack. The Delos League (Delian League), which was similar to today,s confederation, was initiated by Aristides of Athens (died in 468 BC). All through history, Delos is considered to be the first league of small nations against one super power. After the Delos League was established without Sparta,s participation, Iran took advantage of this situation and when war broke between Sparta and Athens, started sending money, arms and equipment to Sparta, and by the hands of Sparta, put an end to the independence of Athens. From this time onwards the Greek historians used the world “imperialist” to describe Iran. The wars between Sparta and Athens, which Thucydides, the historian of that era, has described, is famous as Peloponnesian wars           Translation by Rowshan Lohrasbpour