The Persian Wars reshaped Greece's power dynamics, with Athens and Sparta rising to dominance. This conflict sparked a pan-Hellenic identity and ushered in Athens' Golden Age, marked by cultural and intellectual achievements. The wars also led to political shifts, like the expansion of Athenian democracy.

Athens emerged as a naval powerhouse, leading the Delian League against Persian threats. This alliance eventually morphed into an Athenian empire, fueling ambitious projects and cultural growth. However, Athens' dominance strained relations with other city-states, setting the stage for future conflicts.

Persian Wars: Impact on Greece

Shift in Power Dynamics and Pan-Hellenic Identity

• Persian Wars resulted in significant shift in balance of power among Greek city-states, with Athens and Sparta emerging as dominant powers
• Wars fostered sense of pan-Hellenic identity and unity among Greeks as they fought together against common enemy (Persians)
• Victories boosted confidence and pride of Greeks, particularly Athenians, leading to period of cultural and intellectual flourishing known as the Golden Age of Athens (5th century BCE)
• Wars led to development of new political systems, such as Athenian democracy, which became more inclusive and participatory in aftermath of conflicts
  • Reforms of Cleisthenes (508 BCE) laid foundation for Athenian democracy
  • Participation in government expanded to include wider range of citizens

Social and Economic Changes

• Persian Wars had social implications, with rise of new class of wealthy citizens who profited from wars and increased importance of navy in Greek warfare
• Athenian society became more stratified as result of wars, with growing divide between rich and poor
• Economic changes included increased trade and commerce, as well as development of new industries such as shipbuilding and metallurgy
• Influx of wealth from Delian League and Athenian Empire allowed for ambitious building projects and cultural patronage

Athens' Rise to Power

Naval Supremacy and Delian League Leadership

• Athens emerged as leading naval power in Aegean Sea due to pivotal role in Persian Wars, particularly Battle of Salamis (480 BCE)
• Athenians took lead in formation of Delian League, defensive alliance against Persians, which further solidified their position as dominant power
  • League named after island of Delos, where treasury initially located and meetings held
  • Member states contributed either ships or money to League, with Athens taking on leadership role and responsibility for collecting contributions
• Athens used position in Delian League to exert control over other city-states and expand its own empire, leading to transformation of League into Athenian Empire

Imperial Ambitions and Tensions with Sparta

• Wealth generated from Delian League and Athenian Empire allowed Athens to embark on ambitious building projects, such as reconstruction of Acropolis and construction of Parthenon
• Rise of Athens as dominant power led to increasing tensions with other city-states, particularly Sparta, which eventually culminated in Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE)
  • Sparta felt threatened by growing power and influence of Athens
  • Conflict between Athenian democracy and Spartan oligarchy highlighted ideological differences between two city-states

The Delian League's Formation and Role

Establishment and Purpose

• Delian League formed in 478 BCE as defensive alliance of Greek city-states, led by Athens, to protect against future Persian aggression
• League aimed to liberate Greek cities still under Persian control and prevent future invasions
• Meetings and treasury initially located on island of Delos, seen as neutral ground

Transformation into Athenian Empire

• Over time, Athens began to use League's resources to further its own interests, leading to transformation of League into Athenian Empire
  • Athens moved League's treasury from Delos to Athens in 454 BCE, signifying increasing control over alliance
  • Some member states forced to pay tribute to Athens, while others subject to Athenian garrisons and political interference
• Delian League played significant role in maintaining Athens' power and influence in Aegean region, but also contributed to growing resentment among other city-states, which saw Athens as tyrannical power
  • Revolts against Athenian rule, such as Naxos (469 BCE) and Samos (440-439 BCE), demonstrated growing discontent with Athenian hegemony
  • Resentment towards Athens contributed to outbreak of Peloponnesian War

Greek Culture and Art: Persian Influence

Architecture and Sculpture

• Persian Wars marked beginning of Classical period in Greek art and culture, characterized by newfound confidence and optimism
• Athenian Acropolis rebuilt and expanded in aftermath of wars, with construction of iconic buildings such as Parthenon, Erechtheion, and Propylaea
  • Buildings exemplified Classical style of architecture, characterized by harmony, proportion, and use of Doric and Ionic orders
  • Sculptures adorning buildings, such as Parthenon frieze and Caryatids of Erechtheion, showcased skill and creativity of Greek artists
• Phidias, renowned Athenian sculptor, created statue of Athena Parthenos for Parthenon and statue of Zeus at Olympia, one of Seven Wonders of Ancient World

Literature and Philosophy

• Wars influenced development of Greek literature, particularly in genres of history and tragedy
  • Herodotus, often considered "father of history," wrote "The Histories," chronicling Persian Wars and providing valuable insights into Greek and Persian cultures
  • Athenian tragedians, such as Aeschylus (The Persians), Sophocles (Ajax), and Euripides (The Trojan Women), explored themes of war, heroism, and human condition in plays, often drawing inspiration from Persian Wars
• Persian Wars had impact on Greek philosophy, with thinkers such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle grappling with questions of morality, justice, and ideal form of government in aftermath of conflicts
  • Socratic dialogues, as recorded by Plato, often centered on defining virtues and examining ethical implications of actions
  • Plato's "Republic" explored concept of ideal state and role of philosopher-kings, influenced by Athenian political experiences