Relations between Sparta, Athens and Aegina before the Marathon battle
The author of the article analyses the peculiarity of the relations between Sparta, Athens, Aegina and the Delphic Amphictyonic League which appeared as a result of the threat of the Persian invasion. Strengthening the Peloponnesian League, Sparta took an active part in the struggle against tyranny. However, its activity was selective. In fact, initially it had no desire to overthrow the tyranny of the Peisistratids either in Sparta or in Delphi. Later Delphi alongside with the representatives of the Athenian democracy, who were exiled, forced Sparta to overthrow the Peisistratids. This action was initiated by the Spartan king Kleomen. He headed the anti-Athenian coalition and opposed Athens, hiding his real aim to establish the tyranny of Isagor in Athens. It led to discontent of the Peloponnesian allies and first of all the Corinthians, so they left the army. The Athenians managed to make the democracy stronger and defeated the Spartan allies in Colchis and Boeotia. Being afraid that Athens would become stronger, Argos and Aegina hoped for the Persians' help. Athens were afraid of the invasion and restoration of Hippius' tyranny, so they concluded a treaty with Spartans according to which they had a defensive alliance which became the basis of the Panhellenic alliance against Persians.