. Without the need for a strong navy to protect its port, or ships to negate trade, Athens, like Sparta, could have gone on in much the same governmental style. Regardless, the skills of the common man in Athens were key to the formation of the democracy. Athens sheer domination over trade as a means to control those once voluntarily allied to the Delian League was a huge political maneuver. However, such a move would not go unnoticed and the tensions between Athens and Sparta would continue to fester. ...
