Peloponnesian Wars

Athens vs Sparta

REVIEW: Golden Age of Athens

• 5th Century BC Golden Age of Athens– Expansion in the arts and science

• Athens - dominates Aegean World• Delian League: city-states loyal to

Athens who in turn provide protection.• Athens required member states to pay

a tribute, equal to $200 million in modern currency – needed for the Parthenon

Building Power :

•Spartans and her allies created Peloponnesian League

•Those loyal to Athens are

apart of the Delian

League

Beginning of Trouble

• The member states were not happy

• Many City-States turned to Sparta

• Sparta and Athens become rivals;

both very powerful

Map

Athens Vs. Sparta• Eventually went to war against each

other beginning in 431 BC.

• Athens had a monopoly of trade in the

Aegean region.

• This caused strain between Athens

and other city-states.

•War broke out when Corinth (member of Peloponnesian League) became involved in a conflict with Athens about trade

•Corinthians asked Spartans

and the Peloponnesian League

to go to War

• They declared war on Athens in 431 BC

• There would be a series of battles

between

the two groups

War Declared !

Review: Military Strength

• ATHENS:• Pericles, ruler of Athens, based his

strategy on sea power• Had enough money to mount large

attack

• SPARTA:• Great land army; disciplined;

professional soldiers.

Phase 1Beginning of Battle

• Pericles orders everyone from

surrounding farmlands inside city

walls

• Sparta did not have a good navy, so it

looked like Athens may win. How?

• Athens protected its citizens inside of

its walls.

Pericles

Athenian Problems:

• Poor living conditions• Crowded huts• Poor hygiene• Plague broke out

– Vomiting, painful sores, dysentery.

• One-third of Athenians died • Many felt Gods punishing them• Confidence weakened

The War

•War continued for 10 years.

•There were victories on both

sides.

•In 421 BC, both agree to 50

year truce.

Broken Promise :

• 415 BC Athens bullies neighbours

(city-states) again...this breaks the

truce (peace)

• Peloponnesian wars resume

Phase #2

• Athens attacks island of Melos

• Killed many soldiers and sold women

into slavery.

• The attacked at Syracuse

• Expensive attack

•Naval fleet failed to destroy

the walls around Syracuse.

•Athenian fleet defeated in

Syracuse harbour.

•Forced to surrender.

Phase 3 Peloponnesians Take

Action:• Spartans formed alliances with Sicily

and Persia

• Sparta blocked supplies from Athens

• Nearly starved Athens

• Ended the fight

How did it end?

• Athens never recovered• Sparta permanently occupied

Athenian country-side• Silver mines of Athens came under

Spartan control • 20 000 Athenian slave miners

declared loyalty to Sparta

–Phase I: 431-421 BC–Outcome: signed a peace treaty–Location: Attica (Athens) Peloponnesus (Sparta)

–Phase II: 415-412 BC–Outcome: Athens loses navy, forced to surrender.–Location: major battles on Melos and Syracuse

–Phase III: 412-404 BC–Outcome: Athens was starved out, lost several battles–Location: Athens (walled city state)

What Happened to Athens?

• By 404 BC no powerful leader

replaced Pericles

• Small rebellions crushed

• Athens slowly defeated

• Forced to tear down walls and reduce

navy

Conclusions:

• End of Golden Age of Greece

• City did remain important cultural

centre

• Other City-States gained power, but

biggest threat came from Macedonia