WI: Byzantine League

Byzantium was a member of the Delian League, and, due to its strategic location, punched above its weight, so to speak, with Athens being particularly afraid of losing them.

What if Byzantium either came to dominate the league or forming a new league as Athens declined (perhaps with Spartan support)?
 
Byzantium was a member of the Delian League, and, due to its strategic location, punched above its weight, so to speak, with Athens being particularly afraid of losing them.

What if Byzantium either came to dominate the league or forming a new league as Athens declined (perhaps with Spartan support)?
Errr.....no.

Delian League was a fig leaf for the Athenian Empire. Not going to happen.

If after Athens declined there was a new league it would not be the Delian League - either Sparta or Thebes will be dominant and Byzantium effectively a Persian vassal.
 
It is an interesting idea.

If we look at a parallel in terms of Muscovy - Byzantium could play vassal to the Persians, and use its position to dominate the European Marmara.

It could be an interesting alternative if it can dominate Thrace rather than the Odrysssan kingdoms, as then it could be a major rival to Macedonia, or supplant them entirely. Or even forming part of the Hellenic League later on.
 
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