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The Rise and Fall of the Second Athenian League (378 BCE)
In 378 BCE, Athens established the Second Athenian League (also called the Second Athenian Confederacy) in response to the growing threat of Spartan dominance in Greece following the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE). This alliance was an attempt by Athens to regain its former influence while avoiding the imperialistic excesses that had led to the downfall of its earlier Delian League.
After Sparta's victory in the Peloponnesian War, Athens was stripped of its empire, its navy was dismantled, and its democracy was briefly replaced by an oligarchy (the Thirty Tyrants). However, Athens gradually recovered, and by the early 4th century BCE, resentment against Sparta's harsh rule over Greece grew.
Sparta's aggressive policies—such as imposing oligarchies on other city-states and interfering in Theban politics—alienated many Greek states. When Sparta seized the Theban citadel (the Cadmea) in 382 BCE, it sparked widespread opposition, leading to Thebes' eventual revolt (379 BCE).
Athens, seeking allies against Sparta, formed the Second Athenian League with the following key features:
- Voluntary Membership: Unlike the Delian League, which had forced contributions, the new league was framed as a defensive alliance where members joined willingly.
- Anti-Spartan Coalition: The initial members included Thebes, Chios, Byzantium, and other city-states opposed to Spartan hegemony.
- Charter of Autonomy: A decree (the Charter of Aristotle) guaranteed that Athens would not impose garrisons, collect tribute (phoros), or interfere in the internal politics of member states—a clear contrast to the Delian League's imperial policies.
The League initially succeeded in weakening Sparta:
- Naval Victories: Athenian general Chabrias won a notable victory at Naxos (376 BCE), reasserting Athenian naval power.
- Land Campaigns: The League supported Thebes in its fight against Sparta, culminating in Thebes' decisive victory at Leuctra (371 BCE), which shattered Spartan dominance.
However, tensions arose as Athens began to exert more control, leading to revolts (e.g., the Social War, 357-355 BCE), and the League gradually dissolved.
The Second Athenian League demonstrated Athens' attempt to balance power without repeating past mistakes, but internal conflicts and the rise of Macedon under Philip II ultimately overshadowed it.
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