* Defeated the Persians at the Battle of Salamis (480 BCE): This was a turning point in the Greco-Persian Wars, and it secured Greece's independence from Persia.
* Founded the Delian League (478 BCE): This was a military alliance of Greek city-states that was led by Athens. The Delian League was used to continue the war against Persia and to protect Greece from further invasion.
* Built the Parthenon (447-438 BCE): This was a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena, and it is one of the most famous buildings in the world.
* Established the Athenian democracy: Athens was the first city in the world to have a fully-fledged democracy, in which all male citizens had the right to vote and participate in government.
* Encouraged the development of the arts and sciences: Athens was a major centre of learning and culture in the 5th century BCE, and it was home to many great philosophers, artists, and writers, including Socrates, Plato, Sophocles, and Euripides.
* Expanded Athenian control over the Aegean Sea and the Black Sea: Under Athenian leadership, the Delian League became a naval empire that controlled much of the Aegean Sea and the Black Sea.
James' Impact on Western Civilization
James' accomplishments had a profound impact on Western civilization. His defeat of the Persians ensured that Greece would remain a free and independent country, and it laid the foundation for the rise of Greek culture and democracy. His contributions to the arts and sciences helped to shape the course of Western thought and learning, and his political and military achievements paved the way for the rise of Athens as a major power in the ancient world.