Final answer:
Athens disrupted burials on Delos primarily as part of asserting control over their empire, following their consolidation of power in the Delian League. Purifying the island also honored the dead and reinforced the sacredness of Delos as the birthplace of Apollo. The closest answer provided to why Athens pursued this agenda is to honor the dead, but it also reflects broader political and religious motives. The correct option is b. To honor the dead.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reason Athens pursued an agenda of grave removal and burial disruptions on the island of Delos was related to their control over the Delian League and the desire to secure their empire. Athens moved the treasury of the Delian League, formerly located in Delos, to Athens itself after the failure of a naval expedition in 460 BCE. This action brought an end to the illusion that the league was anything but an Athenian empire. Due to Athenian dominance, Delos's political and economic importance diminished as Athens took command.
The purification of Delos, including the removal of the dead, can be seen as a mix of religious, political, and cultural motives. These actions served to reinforce the sacred nature of the island as the birthplace of Apollo, and by emphasizing the religious sanctity of Delos, Athens could also assert greater control over the island and its importance within the empire.
Therefore, the answer to the question is somewhat more nuanced than the options provided, as the Athenians likely had multiple reasons for pursuing such a policy, but if we choose the closest from the given options, it is b. To honor the dead. This response aligns with the cultural and religious context of Athens's action, although 'to honor the dead' may not fully capture the political implications that accompanied Athenian policies. The correct option is b. To honor the dead.