The golden age of Athens began after the Persian Wars ended in 477 BC. To protect against future Persian invasions, several city-states formed the Delian League led by Athens. Over time, Athens began to use the League's funds for its own building projects and treated other members more like subjects in an empire. During this period Athens also saw a flourishing of art and literature under the patronage of Pericles, including the works of playwrights such as Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides. However, Athens' oppression of its allies and increasing conflict with Sparta led to the Peloponnesian War, weakening Athens and ending its golden age.