The Peloponnesian War Athens vs. Sparta
Just In Case. . . The Delian League (478 B.C.) Unified alliance Athens, Sparta, Corinth, Megara, others Purpose: defend Greece
Athens’ New Swagger Very confident – even arrogant A little chippy – Greece owes it Imperialism
The Structure of the League Athens = treasurer Members pay Athens Athens collects 460 talents in the first year 1 talent = 6,000 drachmas 1 drachma = 1 day’s pay Athens keeps 1/60 – builds ships, wall * In two decades, Delian League turns in to Athenian Empire
30 Years Peace Pericles convinces Sparta Time of prosperity/wealth Time to recover Time of prosperity/wealth Poetry Art Philosophy
Sparta’s Concern Athens becoming too powerful Athens = Persia????
Athens’ Concern Spartan leader, Pausanias
Breaking Point Athens to Sparta: “get rid of him” Sparta to Athens: “shove off” Sparta leaves Delian League, creates its own alliance
Delian vs. Peloponnesian
30 Years of Peace. . . Gone 431 B.C.: Athens sets sights on Corinth & Megara Corinth to Sparta: “attack Athens or else” Sparta to Athens: “leave our allies alone” Athens (Pericles) to Sparta: “bring it”
Strategy Athens: navy, not land Sparta: land, not navy
Athens Humbled Spartans attacking outlying villages Athenians retreat into city walls Sparta sets up base of ops. outside walls Food Supplies Epidemic hits 1/3 of city Agriculture destroyed 20,000 slaves defect
The Crushing Blow An unlikely friend to Sparta $ for a navy Persia $ for a navy Battle of Aegospotami All but 9 Athenian ships destroyed Surrender in 404 B.C.
Results Athenian democracy crumbles All city-states weakened Leaves the door open for a new threat