The Peloponnesian War - PART I: The Gathering Storm

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In 480 BC, Xerxes led a massive Persian invasion of Greece but was ultimately defeated by a united Greek coalition of Athens and Sparta. The Peloponnesian War was sparked by the rivalry between Athens and Sparta, escalating into conflict despite efforts to maintain peace.

Insights

  • The Peloponnesian War was ignited by the escalating rivalry between Athens and Sparta, stemming from Athens' increasing power that alarmed the Spartans, culminating in a decisive naval victory for the Greeks at the Battle of Salamis.
  • Athenian foreign policy during the Peloponnesian War focused on forming alliances with enemies of Sparta and the Peloponnesian League, leading to a complex web of conflicts and diplomatic maneuvers that ultimately contributed to the outbreak of war between Athens and the Peloponnesian League.

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Recent questions

  • What was the cause of the Peloponnesian War?

    Rivalry between Athens and Sparta.

  • Who wrote a detailed account of the Peloponnesian War?

    Thucydides.

  • What was the outcome of the Battle of Salamis?

    Decisive naval defeat for the Persians.

  • What alliances were formed by Athens and Sparta?

    Delian League and Peloponnesian League.

  • What led to the declaration of war in the Peloponnesian War?

    Spartan vote for war against Athens.

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Summary

00:00

Greek Unity Against Persian Invasion

  • In 480 BC, Xerxes, the king of the Persian Empire, led a massive invasion of the Greek mainland with up to 200,000 men.
  • Athens and Sparta, leading a coalition, successfully pushed back the Persians both at sea and on land, a rare unity in Greek history.
  • Thucydides, an Athenian general, wrote a detailed account of the Peloponnesian War, considered the most intense conflict of the time.
  • The Peloponnesian War was caused by the rivalry between Athens and Sparta, with Athens' growing power alarming Sparta.
  • Xerxes' invasion in 480 BC was met with initial Persian victories but ended in a decisive naval defeat at the Battle of Salamis.
  • The Spartans, with 300 hoplites at Thermopylae, held off the Persians, allowing the Greek army to regroup and eventually defeat the Persians.
  • Athens formed the Delian League in 478 BC to counter Persian influence, but it evolved into an Athenian empire oppressing its members.
  • Sparta led the Peloponnesian League, a more traditional alliance, with members having greater autonomy.
  • A major revolt of the helot population in Sparta led to Athens aiding Sparta, but a subsequent quarrel led to the end of their alliance.
  • Athens allied with Argos and Megara, leading to conflicts with Corinth and Sparta, with battles like Tanagra and the building of long walls for defense.

17:28

Athenian Foreign Policy in Ancient Greece

  • General Tolmidas burnt the Spartan dockyards at Kytheon on the coast of Laconia.
  • Athenians captured the strategic port town of Naopaktas on the northern shore of the Gulf of Corinth.
  • Instead of occupying Naopaktas, Athenians resettled it with Messinians who had fled after the Messinian War.
  • Rebels in Athomi surrendered to Sparta, agreeing to leave the Peloponnese and never return.
  • Athens relocated the rebels to Nalpatus, taken from the Azolian Locrians, due to their hatred for Spartans.
  • Athenian foreign policy adopted the strategy of allying with enemies of Sparta and the Peloponnesian League.
  • In 451 BC, a five-year truce was agreed upon between Sparta and Athens, leading to a peace treaty.
  • Corinthians incited Megarians to revolt against Athens, escalating tensions and nearly breaking peace.
  • Corinth attacked Epidamnos, leading to a conflict with Corcyra, prompting an alliance with Athens.
  • A naval battle ensued between Corinth and Corcyra, with Athenian involvement leading to Corinth's victory.

34:19

Athenian Aggression Sparks Peloponnesian War

  • Athenians sent 3,000 hoplites and 600 Macedonian cavalry to defeat the Potidaean coalition, leading to a two-year siege of Potadea.
  • Athenians lost 1,000 hoplites to plague during the siege, eventually resorting to starving the city into submission, leading to surrender and new settlers from Attica taking over.
  • Events of 432 BC, including the Athenian alliance with Korkira, the Megarian decree, and the siege of Potadea, raised concerns among the Peloponnesian League members about Athenian aggression.
  • Corinthian speech at a meeting in Sparta accused Spartan leaders of inaction against Athenian aggression and urged invasion of Attica in response to the siege of Potadea.
  • Athenians defended their actions, citing their defense against Xerxes and the need for their empire, cautioning against hasty war decisions.
  • Spartans, led by Stenelitis, voted for war against Athens despite some advocating for diplomacy, leading to the majority of the Peloponnesian League members to declare war due to strong trade ties.
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