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Explain the methods used by the Athenians to transform the Delian League into the Athenian empire. After the Persian Wars a new league was formed from the Hellenic league. The Delian League was founded in 478B.C.. Formally known as "The Athenians and their allies" the league was made up of Athens as the leader and their allies. Many events contributed to Athens forming the Athenian power. The moving of the treasurey, Revolts against Naxos, Thasos and Chalcis and the decrees. The league lasted till 461B.C. This is how the Athenian Empire emerged from the Delian League. The main objective for the Delian league was to have an organised defensive alliance to resist future attacks from the Persian’s and to maintain the freedom of the Greeks. "…to create a new body, the so-called Delian League. … The main purpose was aggression against Persia and to inflict vengeance by devasting the King’s land" Ehrenberg states. Thucydides suggests that Athens became the leader because of the arrogant and harsh behaviour of the Spartan king Pausanius towards the Ionians and other Greeks. His behaviour caused resentment among the Ionians, who made suggestions to Athens that the letter should assume leadership. Thucydides stre