Sparta’s insulting rebuff of Cimon, on the…
461 BCE
Sparta’s insulting rebuff of Cimon, on the heels of the Spartans' “secret” promise to Thasos, causes the immediate collapse of his popularity at Athens: 461 at the next opportunity an ostracism, or vote for the exile of the most unpopular citizen, is held; Cimon heads the poll and has to leave Athens for ten years.
Outrage over Spartan dismissal has swung Athenian opinion in Ephialtes' favor, so that he is able in 462/461 to carry measures stripping the aristocratic court, the Areopagus, of its political power and to establish the dominance of the Ecclesia (the Popular Assembly), the Boule (Council), and law courts.
Opposition to these measures results in the assassination of Ephialtes, but his political revolution is consolidated.
The preponderant power of Athens has made the Delian league subservient to Athenian interests, speeded by the willingness of the allies to contribute money instead of ships, for Athens' fleet grows larger as those of the allies grow smaller.
Athens sets the level of tribute for the member states, which are now subject to its dictates, and it deals harshly with failures to pay.
Athens also begins regulating the internal policy of the other states and occasionally garrisoning soldiers there.
League policy enters a new phase as relations between Athens and Sparta break down in 461.
Athens reacts by allying itself with …