Mr. C’s The Peloponesian War

What do we know about… Athens? Sparta?

From Democracy to Empire

Rise of an Empire After a time, though, Athens' influence began to dominate the other city-states. The city proceeded to conquer all of Greece save for Sparta and its allies, and became known as the Athenian Empire. By the middle of the century, the Persians had been driven from the Aegean and forced to cede control of a vast range of territories to Athens.

Duh duh duh, duh duh-duh, duh, duh-duh

Duh duh duh, duh duh-duh, duh, duh-duh At the same time, Athens greatly increased its own power; a number of its formerly independent allies were reduced, over the course of the century, to the status of tribute-paying subject states of the Delian League. This tribute was used to support a powerful fleet and, after the middle of the century, to fund massive public works programs in Athens, ensuring resentment

Duh duh duh, duh duh-duh, duh, duh-duh Those who revolted unsuccessfully during the war saw the example made of the Mytilenians, the principal people on Lesbos. After an unsuccessful revolt, the Athenians ordered the death of the entire male population. After some thought, they rescinded this order, and only put to death the leading 1000 ringleaders of the revolt, and redistributed the land of the entire island to Athenian shareholders, who were sent out to reside on Lesbos.

From Democracy to Empire

Meanwhile at Sparta Sparta and its allies, with the exception of Corinth, were almost exclusively land-based powers, able to summon large land armies which were very nearly unbeatable (thanks to the legendary Spartan forces). The Athenian Empire, although based in the peninsula of Attica, spread out across the islands of the Aegean Sea; Athens drew its immense wealth from tribute paid from these islands. Athens maintained its empire through naval power. Thus, the two powers were relatively unable to fight decisive battles.

Cause for war? Casus belli “Case for war?” Sparta attempted to prevent the reconstruction of the walls of Athens 465 BC – Helot revolt 4000 Athenians sent home Revolt is done, Athenians settled them at the strategic city of Naupactus 459 – Megara and Corinth (both allies of Sparta Athens sides with Megara

Athens’ wall

Cause for war? Casus belli This starts a 15 year long war. Ends with 30 Year’s Peace signed in 446/5 BC What starts the war for good? Samos/Athens Samos seeks help from Persian, Athens crushes Corcyra/Corinth Corcyra becomes an Athenian ally Potidaea/Athens Corinth helps Potidaea rebell against Athens

Cause for war? Casus belli Final straw that broke the camel’s back? Athenians speech in Sparta http://www.classicpersuasion.org/pw/thucydides/thucydides-passages.php?pleaseget=1.73-78&passageid=Athenian%20Envoy%20At%20Sparta Do you remember a little thing called Marathon? “We tell you that we, first and alone, dared to engage with the Barbarian at Marathon, and that when he came again, being too weak to defend ourselves by land, we and our whole people embarked on shipboard and shared with the other Hellenes in the victory of Salamis.” “The event proved undeniably that the fate of Hellas depended on her navy. And the three chief elements of success were contributed by us; namely, the greatest number of ships, the ablest general, the most devoted patriotism.”

It is war! The war begins in 431 BC.

The plan.

The Funeral Oration