The Peloponnesian War

1
The Peloponnesian War

• Global History I

2
Causes

• Competition between Athens (Delian Sparta
  (Peloponnesian League)
• Other poleis had to ally themselves with either
  Athens or Sparta
• Athens tried to expand empire with its new naval
  power and wealth
• Sparta feared the power growth of Athens

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The War

• Sparta has superior infantry wants a land war
• Athens has a superior navy and wants a sea war
• Spartans outnumber Athenians 21
• Sparta believes it will be an easy victory
• Not so fastIt turns out to be a 27 year long war

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The War

• Strategy
• Athens makes surprise naval attacks then retreats
  behind the polis walls

5
The Plague

• Symptoms
• Impact
• Kills thousands over several years
• Athenian general Pericles is killed
• New leaders are risky and incompetent war planners

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Peace of Nicias (421 B.C.)

• Despite devastation of the plague, both sides are
  at a stalemate
• A temporary peace treaty is signed (6 years)

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Round 2

• Athenian leader Nicias is convinced to invade the
  Spartan ally of Syracuse
• INVASION IS A COMPLETE FAILURE
• Sparta receives money from the Persian Empire to
  build navy in order to crush Athens

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Why would Persians side with the Spartans?
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Round 2

• Sparta raids Athenian countryside and burns crops
  takes over silver mines
• Without food supplies and money
• ATHENS SURRENDERS!

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Legacy of the War

• Athenian Empire collapses
• Sparta establishes an oligarchy in Athens called
  the Thirty Tyrants
• Athenians would overthrow them return to a
  democracy
• Athens and Sparta no longer as dominant as they
  once were
• Without a true powerhouse for protection
• Macedonian King Philip II his son Alexander
  able to conquer Greece
• END OF CLASSICAL GREECE (404 B.C.)