08 Athens or Sparta - A Question of Leadership

In 479–477 B.C., the Spartans failed to convert their leadership in the Persian War into hegemony over the Greek world. The Greeks of the Aegean islands, the shores of Asia Minor, and Cyprus, who had revolted from King Xerxes, looked first to Sparta for direction, but indifferent Spartan leadership compelled them to turn to Athens in 477 B.C. The Spartan regent Pausanias, hero of Plataea, was recalled in disgrace, exiled, and later executed for fomenting rebellion among the perioikoi and helots. King Leontychidas was prosecuted for taking bribes. Furthermore, by 477 B.C., most Spartans thought it would be better to withdraw from the naval war against Persia than run the risk of having Spartan citizens corrupted by overseas service. Hence, the Athenian general Aristides was free to organize a new Delian League, headed by Athens, to carry on the naval war.