What were the long-term effects of the Persian war?

Answer 1

Athens opportunistically turned its allies in the Delian League into an empire, continuing to impose the monetary levy on them even though there was no longer a Persian threat to justify it.

This money allowed Athens to spend most of the money on itself, and maintain a fleet to collect the money, by force where necessary. The fleet was used to interfere in cities outside its new-found empire, leading to conflict with the Peloponnesian League led by Sparta.

This devastating 27-year war weakened the Greek world, and paved the way for the rise of Macedonia and its takeover of the Persian Empire.

Answer 2

When the Persians agreed to peace after fifty years of warfare, Athens turned the anti-Persian league of Greek city-states into an empire. Overconfident of its strength, Athens became embroiled in the devastating Peloponnesian War with the Peloponnesian League led by Sparta, lost its empire and so weakened the Greek world that Macedonia was able to dominate Greece, and then take over the Persian Empire.

Answer 3

Persia confined itself to its empire in Asia, and the Greek cities returned to fighting each other with increasing violence, so weakening them that they became an easy target for Macedonia to take over.