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Athens had headed the Delian League which protected the eastern Greek cities from Persian dominance. When Persia withdrew, Athens turned the league into an empire, and used this power to interfere in the affairs of other Greek cities. This led the cities of the Peloponnesian League to appeal to Sparta to lead action to limit Athens' power. Athens refused compromise and a destructive 27 year war ensued, which the Athenians lost, and were stripped of their empire, reducing them to a second rate power which could no longer try to dominate Greece and live high on the proceeds.

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10y ago

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