Peloponnesian War Athens vs Sparta

Part I: Archidamian War 431-421BC Between the naval power of Athens (The Delian League) and the land power of Sparta and her allies (the Peloponnesian League II. Sparta invaded land surrounding Athens Athens was denied use of land around its city but still had access to the sea. Citizens moved inside Athens’ walls

C. Sparta occupied the area for 3 week intervals i. Longest invasion lasted a mere 40 days ii. Soldiers were expected home to help with the harvest iii. Helots needed to be kept in order and under control

III. Athens attempted to avoid open battle, relying on her fleet Under the leadership of Pericles Led to Athenian naval victories The unexpected plague that hit Athens in 430BC wiped out over 30,000 inhabitants, including Pericles himself

i. ⅓-⅔ of Athens’ population died due to the plague ii. Was a major factor that influenced Athenian defeat in the war iii. Resulted in Sparta abandoning the invasion, no one wanting to contract the plague themselves

D. Athens changes its tactic upon Pericles’ death, bringing direct battle to Sparta i. Led by Cleon politically and Demosthenes militarily ii. Demosthenes won the Battle of Pylos in 425BC by trapping Spartan soldiers and waiting for their surrender

iii. Cleon won the Battle of Sphacteria by capturing between 300 and 400 helots, whom Athens was able to use as bargaining material

E. Sparta engaged Athens at the Athenian colony of Amphipolis in Thrace i. Colony controlled several nearby silver mines, which provided funds for Athens during the war ii. Thucydides was to stop Sparta from taking the mines and failed, so he was exiled

iii. Leaders of both Athens and Sparta were killed, so the city-states agreed to exchange the hostages held by Athens for the lands held by Sparta iv. A truce was signed in 421BC

IV. Pericles gave his Funeral Oration at the end of 431BC Pericles praises those Athenians who died in battle that first year Begins by praising Athenian ancestors Admonishes the living to live up to what the dead died for

Part II: the Peace of Nicias I. Peace of Nicias lasts 6 years A. Meanwhile, small skirmishes are happening in small Peloponnese city-states II. The Sicilian Expedition Syracuse were cousins to the Spartans (Dorian) Sicilians were cousins to the Athenians (Ionian)

C. Athens receives word that their allies in Sicily are being attacked by Syracuse. D. Athens sends over 100 ships and 5000 infantry. i. motivated by Ionian obligation and a desire for more influence in the region E. Sparta hears of this and sends their own forces i. Thoroughly defeat the Athenians, both at land and sea

Part III: The Second War I. The Peloponnese are dissatisfied with simply defeating Athens in Sicily. Reinforce Decelea i. cuts off Athens from their farmland ii. cuts off Athenian land-trade routes iii. raises prices for supplies, grain now imported from the Hellespont iii. forces Athens to raise taxes

II. Sparta allies itself with Persia A. Persia supplies them with money and ships B. Many Ionians turn on Athens

III. Athens survives longer due to slow-moving enemies. A. Corinth and Syracuse slow to move their ships B. Small city states expected protection, and did not want to go on the offensive C. Persians slow to furnish promised goods

IV. Athens uses a reserve fleet to reestablishing their financial status A. Between 410 and 406, Athens wins a string of victories. B. Athens wins at Callicratidas, does not annihilate Spartan forces C. Athens executes 6 of its best generals.

V. Lysander rises to power in Sparta A. Formidable in Naval Strategy B. Sparta sails to the Hellespont, where Athens gets its grain C. Athens has no choice but to follow D. Sparta annihilates the Athenian fleet E. Battle of Aegospotami 405 BC destroy 168 of 180 ships captured 3-4k saliors

F. Athens Surrenders 404 BC i. Athens stripped of its walls, fleet, and overseas possessions ii. The 30 tyrants are put in charge iii. Sparta agrees to spare the city and its people iv. Leads to the eventual decline of Greece as the world power of the west.