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The Peloponessian War
431 – 404 B.C.
“ If one looks at the facts
themselves, one will see that this was the greatest war of
all.”
Thucydides
The Peloponnesian War 431 – 404 B.C.
The Archdamian War (431 – 421 B.C.)
Peace of Nicias
Sicilian Expedition 415 B.C.
The Sicilian War
The Ionian/ Decelean War (413 – 404 B.C.)
Oligarchic Coup of Athens (411 B.C.)
Defeat of Athens & End of Delian League (404 B.C.)
Contents
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Historical Background
Thirty Years’ Peace *
Greek World 431 B.C. *
Spartan Society *
Athenian Society
Clash of Cultures? *
Pericles *
Declaration of War
Battle of Sybota*
The Potidaean Affair
Cleon
Alcibiades
The Great Plague
Death of Pericles
The Archdamian War (431 – 421 B.C.)
Peace of Nicias
Sicilian Expedition 415 B.C.
The Sicilian War
The Ionian/ Decelean War (413 – 404 B.C.)
Oligarchic Coup of Athens (411 B.C.)
Defeat of Athens & End of Delian League (404 B.C.)
Historical Background
• Both Athens and Sparta had grown as empires
throughout the latter part of the 6th Century B.C. and
early 5th Century B.C.
• The First Peloponnesian War had broken out in 460 B.C.
as a result of
Empires & Alliances
Athens:
Delian League
Sparta:
Peloponnesian League
• Phlius
• Orneae
• Megara
• Elis
• Mantinea
• Thebes
• Corinth
Thirty Years’ Peace
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Signed between Athens & Sparta in 445 B.C. which brought the First
Peloponnesian War to an end. Lasted only 13 years.
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Arbitration was codified as a necessary precursor to any conflict between
the two.
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Recognised both empires (alliances) as legitimate
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Allowed neutral city-states & regions to join either alliance, but none could
switch alliances
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Neither alliance could interfere with other’s allies
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Athens had to give up a few territories, including Megarian ports
The Greek World 431 B.C.
Athens & Port of Piraeus
Clash of Cultures or Hellenistic Power
Struggle?
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Athens
Leader of the
Delian League
Democratic *
Semi-Liberal
Cosmopolitan
Cultured & Artistic
Maritime Empire
Diverse Trade Links
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Sparta
Leader of the
Peloponnesian League
Oligarchic
Ultra-Conservative,
Militaristic Society
Insular & Isolationist
Superstitious & Patriarchal
Land Power
Homogenistic
Spartan Society
An Oligarchic, Demi-Monarchic
Complexity
King
King
Gerousia: Council of 28
Spartans
Traders &
manufacturers
Perioikoi
“like someone sitting in
wait for disasters to strike
the Spartans”
Helots
Aristotle
They would gladly eat
the Spartans raw”
Xenophon
“most institutions among the Spartans have always been established with
regard to security against the Helots”
Thucydides
Sparta
• ‘Mixed constitution’; containing monarchic,
oligarchic & democratic elements
Sparta’s Allies: The Peloponnesian
League
Athenian Society:
A Democratic-
The Delian League
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Founded in early 5th Century B.C.
to resist the Persian threat. Other
city states joined.
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Treasury initially located in Delos
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Members gave money (not ships)
to combine their efforts in resisting
Persian threat
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Treasury moved to Athens in 454
B.C.
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Monies were used to strengthen
the military (naval) power of
Athens and also used to aid the
construction of the Parthenon
Pericles’ Building Programme
Pericles initiated an ambitious
building programme in 455 B.C.
“Future ages will wonder at us, as
the present age wonders at us
now.”
“Just because you do not take an
interest in politics doesn't mean
politics won't take an interest in
you”
“We do not imitate, but are a
model to others”
Pericles
495 – 429 B.C.
“Freedom is the sure possession
of those alone who have the
courage to defend it”
Pericles
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Became leader of Athens in 461 B.C.
establishing a popular vote in the Athenian
Assembly which ultimately resulted in the
exile of the Athenian leader, Cimon.
A patron of the arts
Hostile to Sparta
Led the ambitious building programme of
Athens – resulting in the timeless
architectures of the Parthenon and the
Acropolis
Ambitious, democratic and a great orator
Founded many of the democratic institutions
of Athens
Led the mission to recapture Delphi from the
Spartans in 448 B.C. and the invasion of
Samos
‘Age of Pericles’ = 460 – 429 B.C.
Corcyra & Corinth:
Emissaries in Athens
Corcyra
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“A victim to the injustice of others”
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“your welcome of us under these
circumstances will be a proof of
goodwill which will ever keep alive the
gratitude you will lay up in our hearts.”
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“yourselves excepted, we are the
greatest naval power in Hellas”
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“a power that comes in quest of
assistance being in a position to give
to the people whose alliance she
solicits as much safety and honour as
she will receive”
Corinth
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“Corinth is at least in treaty with you;
with Corcyra you were never even in
truce.”
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“Why, if you make it your policy to
receive and assist all offenders, you
will find that just as many of your
dependencies will come over to us,
and the principle that you establish will
press less heavily on us than on
yourselves”
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“When you were in want of ships of
war for the war against the Aeginetans,
before the Persian invasion, Corinth
supplied you with twenty vessels.”
Corinth v. Corcyra: Battle of Sybota 433
B.C.
• Athens receives emissaries from both Corinth & Corcyra over
dispute
• Corcyra appeals for Athenian help BUT Corinth warns Athens of any
involvement in internal Corinthian affairs
• Athens decides to help Corcyra, albeit in a defensive posture,
sending ten ships to aid her defence. Just as the Corinthians were
about to defeat Corcyra, a further 20 Athenian triremes arrived to
bolster their defense.
• When questioned by Corinthians, Athenians steadfastly declare their
willingness to defend Corcyra.
• Both Corinth & Sparta interpret this as a breach of the Thirty Years’
Peace treaty.
Battle of Sybota 433 B.C.
Significance:
1)Known as the ‘first grievance’ between the Athenians & Spartans
2)Athenian response to Corinthian delegation at the Battle of Sybota:
"Neither are we beginning war, Peloponnesians, nor are we breaking the treaty;
but these Corcyraeans are our allies, and we are come to help them. So if you
want to sail anywhere else, we place no obstacle in your way; but if you are
going to sail against Corcyra, or any of her possessions, we shall do our best to
stop you."
3)Both sides claimed victory in this battle.
Pericles’ Funeral Oration
Pericles’ Funeral Oration
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In this funeral oration for the Athenian soldiers, Pericles makes his famous
speech concerning the virtues of Athens, it’s citizens and their way of life.
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Pericles describes Athens as a “model to others” rather than an imitator.
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Pericles places Athens’ strength in its citizens, their character being a
reflection of the society they inhabit.
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Pericles also makes subtle references to Sparta and the regressive nature
of their military strength.
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Pericles extols the courage of the dead Athenians, imploring others to take
their place to secure Athens’ destiny as the greatest, and most forwardthinking state in the Hellenic world.
Thucydides: Percilean
Ideology
The City of Epidamnus
Spartan Declaration of War
The Potidaean Revolt
432 B.C.
• Colony of Corinth but a
tributary ally of Athens.*
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Three Phases of War
• The Archdamian War
431 – 421 B.C.
• The Sicilian War
• The Ionian/ Declean War
The Archdamian War
431 – 421 B.C.
431 – Outbreak of Plague in
Athens
429 - Siege at Plataea
Death of Pericles
428 – Revolt of Mytilene
427 – Debate of Mytilene
426 -
422 – Battle of
Amphipolis
421 – Peace of
Nicias
Siege at Plataea 429 B.C.
300 Thebans were smuggled into the town of Plataea, with the intent to
kill and overthrow the democratic leaders.
Instead, they attempted to persuade the citizens to change their
alliances
The citizenry, realising how small the invading force was, attacked them,
killing most of them and trapping the rest in a building
Siege at Plataea 429 B.C.
Archidamus beseiged the twon of Plataea, which only consisted of 800
citizens and 85 Athenians
The Plataeans resisted courageously & Archidamus resorted to starving
the city out
Eventually, about half of the population escaped, but the other half
eventually surrendered
These were brought before a Spartan court, where they were asked
simply
"Whether, during the present war, they had rendered any assistance
to the Lacedaemonians and their allies?"
These 200 citizens & 25 Athenians were then executed. This is seen as
one of the overt causes of the Peloponnesian War
Thucydides Account: Plataea
"the treaty had now been broken by an overt
act after the affair at Plataea"
"Athens and Lacedaemon now resolved to
send embassies to the King and to such
other of the barbarian powers as either
party could look to for assistance."
The Great Plague
Effects of the Plague: Pericles'
Strategic Flaw
Pericles' strategy had depended on the Athenian Navy protecting their
supply ships to the Port of Pireus
This strategy proved to be their undoing; as the surrounding population
of Attica retreated behind the walls of Athens, the over-crowding
would contribute to the disease
The supply ships apparently brought the plague with them and the
whole city of Athens, walled in, became a hot-bed of disease
As the disease spread, Thucydides writes of the physical, social and
moral decay that beset the city.
In his account, we see Thucydides depart from his usual scientific,
dispassioned accounts.
Thucydides: Effects of the
Plague
Physical:
“discharges of bile of every kind named by physicians
ensued, accompanied by very great distress...internally it
burned so that the patient could not bear to have on him
clothing or linen even of the very lightest description; or
who plunged into the rain-tanks in their agonies of
unquenchable thirst..... for it settled in the privy parts, the
fingers and the toes, and many escaped with the loss of
these, some too with that of their eyes”
Thucydides: Effects of the
Plague
Social:
“the bodies of dying men lay one upon another, and half-dead
creatures reeled about the streets and gathered round all the
fountains in their longing for water....
sacred places also in which they had quartered themselves were full
of corpses of persons that had died there......
for as the disaster passed all bounds, men, not knowing what was to
become of them, became utterly careless of everything, whether
sacred or profane....
they threw their own dead body upon the stranger's pyre and ignited
it; sometimes they tossed the corpse which they were carrying on the
top of another that was burning, and so went off....”
Thucydides: Effects of the
Plague
Moral:
“Men now coolly ventured on what they had formerly done in a corner, and not just as they
pleased, seeing the rapid transitions produced by persons in prosperity suddenly dying
and those who before had nothing succeeding to their property.....
they resolved to spend quickly and enjoy themselves, regarding their lives and riches as
alike things of a day.....
it was settled that present enjoyment, and all that contributed to it, was both honourable
and useful.....
Fear of gods or law of man there was none to restrain them.....
As for the first, they judged it to be just the same whether they worshipped them or not, as
they saw all alike perishing; and for the last, no one expected to live to be brought to
trial for his offences, but each felt that a far severer sentence had been already passed
upon them all and hung ever over their heads, and before this fell it was only
reasonable to enjoy life a little.”
Death of Pericles 429 B.C.
Revolt of Mytilene 428 B.C.
Why Mytilene Revolted
Mytilenians saw an opportunity (plague in Athens, death of
Pericles and continuing war) of removing themselves from
the Athenian Delian League and of establishing their rule
over the whole island of Lesbos.
Mytilene hoped to unify the entire Island of Lesbos under its
control
Methymna, however, was a loyal ally of Athens
Peloponnesian caution as always, had delayed the offer of
Mytilenean revolt before the war
Tenedians & Mytilenians informed Athens of impending
insurrection against Athenian control
Revolt of Mytilene
Athens, upon realising that rumours of Mytilene were true, dispatched
forty ships to Lesbos.
They were to demand the turnover of Mytilean ships and the tearing
down of their walls. If not, all-out war was to be waged.
Mytileans were informed of the coming of the Athenians and began
barricading themselves inside their town
After an initial skirmish with the Athenian fleet, the Mytilenians sued for
peace. The offer was accepted and a Mytilenian ambassador was
dispatched to Athens to plead their innocence and in hope of
regaining their ships detained at Athens.
However, in case of failure, the Mytilenians also sent an ambassador to
Lacedaemon to plead for assistance. This duplicity would have
profound implications for the citizenry of Mytilene.
Battle of Lesbos
Mytilenian ambassador to Athens returns empty-handed; battle
recommences
Athenians & their allies formed a naval blockade of the island
An Anthenian sortie meanwhile ravaged lands along the coast of the
Peloponnese
The Mytilenian Ambassador was instructed by the Spartans to come to
Olympia, so that the Peloponnese Alliance could hear his request.
The Mytilenian rationale in this speech is......
Mytileanian Request
"Justice and honesty will be the first topics of our speech, especially as
we are asking for alliance;....
...as long as the Athenians led us fairly we followed them loyally; but
when we saw them relax their hostility to the Mede, to try to compass
the subjection of the allies, then our apprehensions began...
...but the same system also enabled them to lead the stronger states
against the weaker first, and so to leave the former to the last,
stripped of their natural allies, and less capable of resistance...
We accepted each other against our inclination; fear made them court us
in war, and us them in peace...
Our revolt, however, has taken place prematurely and without
preparation- a fact which makes it all the more incumbent on you to
receive us into alliance and to send us speedy relief, in order to show
that you support your friends, and at the same time do harm to your
enemies.
Athens Invades
Peloponnese invade Attica (after request of Mytilenians)
Athens ravages Spartan coast
Mytilenians attack Methymna (ally of Athens)
Athens reponds with an invasion force; first by a naval blockade
of the town, reinforced by 1,000 infantrymen under Paches,
blockading Mytilene with a wall either side; by land and by
sea.
Salaethus was sent to inform the Mytilenians of forthcoming help
from the Peloponnesians. (40 ships)
Eventually, the Mytilenians realise that no help is forthcoming
from the Peloponnesians, demand that the city authorities sue
for peace with the Athenians. Salaethus' attempt to lead the
citizenry in arms against the Athenians leads to this general
Settlement in Lesbos
Paches, the Athenian commander, now took control of Mytilene &
seized Antissa.
Paches sent Salaethus and over a thousand Mytilenians to Athens to
await judegement
Paches then settled in Mytilene with the remainder of his forces,
dispatching most of them back to Athens with the prisoners
Debate of Mytilene (427 B.C.)
Debate in Athens: Mytilene
Salaethus was immediately put to death, nothwithstanding his offer of
removing the Peloponnesians from Plataea
Great resentment & anger was felt at the Mytilenian revolt
The Peloponnesian fleet, spotted on its way to relieve the Mytilenian
insurrection against Athens, now became evidence of a longplanned treachery of Mytilene against Athens.
Many felt that severe punishment should be brought against Mytilene:
1) Kill the entire male population of Mytilene, not just the guilty
prisoners brought to Athens
2) enslave all the females and children of Mytilene
A message was dispatched to Paches, at Mytilene, to carry out these
orders.
Cleon: Warmonger &
Demagogue?
Cleon, a former opponent of
Pericles in the Athenian
Assembly and now one of its
most powerful statesmen,
advocated a total reprisal
against the Mytilenian
population as an example to
the rest of the Delian League.
Cleon had proposed the
removal of Pericles in 430 BC
for 'maladministration of
Athenian finances'
Described by Thucydides as a
Mytilenian Debate:
Cleon
"I have often before now been convinced that a democracy is incapable of empire”
“never reflect that the mistakes into which you may be led by listening to their appeals”
“bring you no thanks for your weakness from your allies; entirely forgetting that
your empire is a despotism and your subjects disaffected conspirators, whose
obedience is ensured not by your suicidal concessions, but by the superiority given
you by your own strength and not their loyalty”
“ ordinary men usually manage public affairs better than their more gifted fellows. The
latter are always wanting to appear wiser than the laws, and to overrule every
proposition brought forward, thinking that they cannot show their wit in more important
matters”
“where vengeance follows most closely upon the wrong, it best equals it and most amply
requites it”
“this is not revolt- revolt implies oppression; it is deliberate and wanton aggression; an
attempt to ruin us by siding with our bitterest enemies; a worse offence than a war
undertaken on their own account in the acquisition of power”
Mytilenian Debate:
Diodotus
Peace of Nicias 421 B.C.