The Congress at the Isthmus 481 BC

• In 481 BC, when Xerxes' invasion had seemed imminent, those states who were willing to resist Persia looked to Athens and Sparta, the two main enemies of Xerxes, for leadership
• Invitations were sent out to 'patriotic' Greek states to attend a conference at the Isthmus of Corinth
• 31 states (out of more than a hundred) willing to help in the defense of Greece, attended
• They styled themselves as the "Hellenic League", those loyal to the land of Helen. It was the first time that they had referred to themselves as "Hellenes" (Greeks)