The Parians of the wealthy and fertile…

The Parians of the wealthy and fertile northern Aegean island of Thasos have exploited the island's gold mines and founded a school of sculpture.

Athens, which, like all ancient states, wishes to get their hands on as much precious metal for coinage as possible, covets the island's trading stations and mines along the mainland area just opposite it.

Thasos, faced with the naked economic aggression of Athens, had in 465 seceded from the Delian League.

After a siege of two years by the Athenians and a naval defeat at Cimon's hands, it is forced to demolish its walls, surrender its fleet, its mines, and its mainland possessions, and pay an indemnity and an annual contribution to the league.