The Delian League, originally founded as an alliance of Greek city-states to defend against Persian aggression, came under the dominant control of Athens, which transformed it into something resembling an Athenian empire. This shift and Athens' control over the League were criticized by various contemporary figures and historians.
1. **Thucydides**: The ancient historian Thucydides provides a critical perspective on Athenian imperialism in his work, "The History of the Peloponnesian War." He details how Athens used the League to exert control over other Greek city-states, often through coercion and military force.
2. **Members of the Delian League**: Many member states of the Delian League themselves were critical of Athens' dominance. This is evident from the numerous revolts and requests for help from Sparta, which suggest significant dissatisfaction with Athenian control. Notable examples include the revolts of Naxos and Thasos.
3. **Sparta and the Peloponnesian League**: The Peloponnesian League, led by Sparta, was a significant critic of Athens. They viewed the Athenian control over the Delian League as a form of tyranny and a threat to the autonomy of the Greek city-states. This rivalry and criticism were among the key causes of the Peloponnesian War.
4. **Aristophanes**: The playwright Aristophanes often satirized Athenian politics and imperial ambitions in his comedies. His works reflect the underlying tensions and criticisms within Athenian society regarding their empire.
5. **Old Oligarch**: The pseudonymous writer often referred to as the "Old Oligarch" or "Pseudo-Xenophon" criticized the democratic and imperial policies of Athens in his work, "Constitution of the Athenians." This work provides a critique of how Athens managed its empire and the Delian League.
These critiques highlight the complexities and controversies surrounding Athens' transformation of the Delian League from a mutual defense alliance into an instrument of its own imperial power.