201peloponnesianwar.html

The Peloponnesian War (431-404)

Causes/Pretexts

"Megarian Decree" passed by Athens
Conflict between Corinth & Corcyra

"The real cause I consider to be the one which was most kept out of sight. The growth of the power of Athens and the fear which this inspired in Lacedaemon made war inevitable."
-- Thucydides 1.23

Pericles (c. 495-429)

Protegé of Ephialtes
Introduces pay for jury service
Pushes building program
Associated w/ Anaxagoras, Aspasia
General every year from 443

Three Stages
1) "Archidamian" War (431-421)
2) Peace of Nicias (421-413)
3) "Decelean" War (413-404)

The Archidamian War

431     Outbreak of hostilities
430     Plague hits Athens
          Pericles not re-elected general
429     Pericles dies of plague

420s    Ascendancy of Cleon
425     Athenian success at Pylos
          Spartans ask for peace

422 Cleon killed in action
421 Peace of Nicias

The Peace of Nicias

421 Athens & Sparta sign 50 year peace treaty

Alcibiades (451/0-404/3)

Younger relative of Pericles
Handsome, charismatic, ambitious
Associate of Socrates
First elected general 420
Jockeys for power w/ Nicias
Main mover of Sicilian expedition

415     Mutilation of the Herms
          Sicilian Expedition embarks
          Alcibiades recalled
414     Alcibiades defects to Sparta
          Spartans aid Sicilians
413     Athenians defeated at Syracuse

The "Decelean" War

413   Spartan base at Decelea in Attica
412   Alcibiades flees to Persia
411   Oligarchic coup at Athens
        Government of "The 400" ... overthrown by "The 5000"
410   Alcibiades un-defects
        Full democracy restored

Persians begin to fund Lysander & Spartan navy

406   Alcibiades exiled (for good)
405   Battle of Aegospotamoi; Athenian fleet destroyed
404   Athens surrenders
----
        Critias & the "30 Tyrants"
403   Return of democrats

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