While I was reading the US ambassador’s speech given on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the United States returning the Hungarian Holy Crown (but really – they could’ve kept it forever just as Comrade Lenin could have shot at the children instead of returning their ball – praise be to the brilliant and gracious Defterdars!) – so as I read the speech, I immediately thought of the Delian League. They say the ambassador is a fine, educated person so I am sure he’s heard of the aforementioned league. I hope so – because that fact will help him understand all that follows.
So, as Mr. Pressman most likely knows, the Delian League was established after the end of the Persian wars and the Greek victory in the Battle of Plataea so that the Persians would never again dare to trouble the Greeks. The year was 478 Before Christ, which I only mention in order to highlight that human history did not begin with the invention of Coca Cola nor with the incredible, brave moment when 39 rebel Dakotas were hanged in Mankato, their corpses desecrated, and little souvenirs made of their flayed skin while they put Little Crow’s dead body on display for money – despite “business as usual” – it’s not easy to invent something humanity hasn’t seen before, especially when it comes to man’s nastiness, vileness, and bestiality.
But let’s not get too off course and come back to that particular alliance!
Athens led the Delian League, Athens brought it to life, and Athens’ democracy was its driving force and ethos – and that very democracy and its promotion turned that league into a tyrannical force and made city-states outside of Athens into colonies. Is the situation not familiar yet Mr. Ambassador? Is the analogy not evident yet? Then I’ll continue. Athens declared that as the strongest, most powerful and most democratic entity, they will defend the rest from the Persians. In exchange they expect only taxes, military forces, unconditional obedience with members doing everything Athens demanded without fail.