The origins of this alliance lay in the continuing desire of many Greek states, notably Athens and Sparta, for a restoration of their former independence, along with the desire of Ptolemy II to create troubles for his rival Antigonus II, King of Macedonia.
As orixes desta alianza residen no desexo continuado de moitos estados gregos, especialmente Atenas e Esparta, de restaurar a súa anterior independencia, xunto co desexo de Tolomeo de crear problemas ao seu rival, Antígono II Gonatas, rei de Macedonia.