
History of the Peloponnesian League

Sparta demonstrated herself to be the strongest state in the Peloponnesian – after several treaties became leader of the
Peloponnesian League

Membership of league varied – Sparta remained dominant
Origins of the League

Delian league stemmed from Hellenic League – shared similar interest with Peloponnesian League

Thucy. Believes Athens came into power as Sparta disgraced self o
Plutarch – “Treated his own allies harshly and was arrogant and scattered insults far and wide with his officiousness and absurd pretensions” o Thucy believes already made plans to remove Pausanias – “On to arrange matters generally in a way that would best suit their own interests”

Sparta not worried about loss of leadership o Spartan foreign policy meant needed more dedication within country – due to Helot uprisings o Fear that leader would continue to disgrace them o
Plutarch –
“ceased to send generals to carry out the war, preferring to have their citizens behave with moderation and abade by their traditional customs instead of loaring it over the rest of Greece”

Athens held in high respect because of their contribution to Salamis o Thucy – “they had enough of the Persian wars and they thought that Athenians were fully able to take command, and at that time believe them to be their friends” o Ehrenburg – “The Athenians, with the good will of, and possibly a direct invitation by the majority of
Greeks had began to create a new body, the so called Delian League”

Commander in Chief – Aristides

Aims of the League o “to compensate themselves for their losses by ravaging the territory of the King of Persia” – Thucy o Liberate Greeks of Asia Minor o Maintain the freedom of Greece

To achieve aims league needed a strong fleet and adequate funds o Athenians ran assessment on what every state could afford to pay as tribute o Plutarch notes Aristides was “appointed him to survey the various territories and their revenues, and then to fix their contributions according to each members worth and ability to pay” o Ehrenburg – “the main purpose was aggression against Persia” o Five ship contributors – Chios, Lesbos, Samos, Naxos and Thrace

Delos was selected to be HQ as central location and ancient center of Ionian culture o
Delos had good harbor which protect the treasury against threats
Activities of the Delian League
Capture of Byzantium
478 – 477
The Siege and capture of
Eion
476 – 475
Cause

Cut Persians off from
Thrace

Improve Greek access to black sea
 Cimon’s exploit was to capture Eion” BM

Base new Persian offenses could be launched
“next

Stronghold

Give Greeks assess to silver, timber, gold
Course

Sparta send Pausanias in command to continue emancipating Greeks

Resumes position of
Byzantium

Cimon drove
Pausanias out of
Byzantium

Persian commander =
Boges

Defended city until ran out of food

Lit a funeral fire through all family into it, along with all his silver then killed himself
Consequences

Cutting of access to
Northern Greece

Greeks access to
 weakened the
Persians
Black sea
“Athenians had captured and occupied a strong coast – fortress” BM

Removed potentially dangerous base for
Persians

Conquest of Scyrus
474 – 473
Coercion of Carystus
472
The Revolt and Subjection of
Naxos
469
Battle of Eurymedon
469 and corn

Economic imp.


Aims had nothing to

Prevent pirates from disrupting trade do with aims of
Delian League
Oracle of Delphi told them to bring home bones of Athenian hero Thesus

Fear that Carystus would join with
Persia

Unwilling to join
Delian league

Greeks made war as considered ‘politically necessary’
 “Carystus, unlike any other cities of her island had held aloft from the confederacy: and this onomoly seemed intolerable to
Athens” BM

Wished to leave
Delian League

League argued that they had do “fulfill their obligations until the association should be dissolved by the common consent of all” BM

Was ship contributing member = Athens did not want to leave

Naxos was “as that of a confederate state which wished to be confederate no longer”

Obtain freedom for
Greek cities and towns still under
Persian control

Cimon hoped make blow to Persia

Attic settlers” BM

Cimon invaded island

“Inhabitants were enslaved and their place was taken by
Subjected by Athens – became member despite her beliefs

Delian league made war on state

Naxos revolved in
469

Mod. His. Say put down by siege
 “The fleet of allies reduced her by blockade” BM
 “He threw back the barbarians with great slaughter and captured the army and its camp which was full of all kinds of spoil” Plutarch

Cimon “overcame the Persians in a double battle of both land and sea, destroying 200
Phoenician ships sent from Cyprus to reinforce the Persian

No longer problems with pirates
 “But Cimon won less glory from the conquest than by discovery of the bones of Theseus”
BM

Colonialised island with Attican’s

Athens keep eye on interests

Carystus became subject of Athens and
Persian threat removed

Member of Delian league against will


Naxos lost autonomy
Outrage by Greece –
Greeks opposed any acts of Tyranny

Possible Naxos had to surrender fleet also

Tribute paying subject of Athens

Naxos was first to rebel in league –
“apparent that in the future Athens, as the leader of the League, would not hesitate to use force to make sure that obligations were fully met”

Confederacy conquered Southern
Asia Minor

Cities and towns around Aegean freed from Persian control

Greeks captured resources and wealth

Revolt of Thasos
465


Richest island in
North Aegean – strong fleet
Athens tried to claim share of gold and trade = conflict

Thasos left Delian
League – Athens did not want to leave
Navy”

Cimon besieged
Thasos – turned help from Macedonia,
Thrace and Sparta
 Sparta’s agreed attack
Attica – Athens unaware

Siege of Thasos lasted two years – Athens confiscated navy, demolished walls and

Thasos forced to pay indemnity to Athens and lost independence;

Became subject paying state depended on Athens closed mints

Actions of Athens seen as purely military and economically based
 “Military leadership and economic prosperity began to work hand in hand with increase the political power of
Athens…Athenian policy was moving towards imperialism”
Ehrenburg
“Both acts seem to be acts of tyrannical outrage on the independence of free states”
(Naxos and Carystus) – BM
Relations between Athens and Sparta

Thucy – period b/w Revolt Thasos and ostracism of Cimon = chain events break relations b/w Athens and Sparta
 “There was a time when Sparta was particularly friendly to the Athenians because of the courage displayed by
Athens against Persia” Thucy

Athens developing the wooden walls o
Sparta feared plans – masked by appealing to treaties no need set defenses against allies o Sparta petitioned that they join them in “pulling down all the fortifications which still existed in cities outside the Peloponnesian” - Thucy o Themistocles offered them to send correspondences, had them locked up until the walls were completed then sent back to Sparta

Amphictoyonic Council o Sparta wanted all Greeks that remained neutral within Persian wars to remain in Peloponnesian league – feared
Sparta would dominate o “the Spartan’s put forward a motion that all those states which had not taken part in resisting the Persians should be debarred from membership” o Athens disagreed as would lose members and Peloponnesian league would become dominant o “only thirty states had played an active part in the war, and that most of these were very small ones, so that it would be intolerable situation if the rest of Greece were excluded and the congress was dominated by the two or three largest states” Plutarch

Cimon became political rival to Themistocles o
Themistocles was ostrasicsed – due to enemies had gained o Themistocles “incurred the hatred of allies by sailing round the islands and trying to get money from them” o Cimon was very pro-Spartan

Athenians given control of the Delian League o Pausanias had shamed the Sparta’s on last expedition o Forced to accept the Athenian leadership – Sparta was unfit to conduct sea war o Younger generation of Sparta’s opposed Athenian leadership
 Cimon’s policy had been to help Sparta – Whereas Ephialtes saw Sparta a rival and possible enemy o Sparta’s fear of bold, radical ideas meant they refused help when Cimon sent an army to help in the helots revolt o “Were deeply offended considering this was not the sort of treatment they deserved from Sparta”.
Thucy o Cimon was ostracized in 461 due to the humiliation suffered
League to Empire

At first Athens had no intention of becoming an empire o Subjection of Naxos and Thasos showed change in Athenian imperial policy. o
446-5 no doubt that Athens wanted to become an empire with the Chalic’s Decree

Thucy. Initial capture of Eion, Scyrius, Carystus and Naxos were stepping stones to become an empire o “it was the actual course of events which first compelled us to increase power to its present extent; fear of
Persian was our chief motivator”

Break down in relations b/w Athens and Sparta increased Athens need for power – two potential threats

Pericles lead to imperialism in the Delian League

o War with Aegina and Battle of Tonagra showcased motives o Subjected Aegina to pay 30 talents to league – punishment increased growing fear of subjection

Athens suggested treasury be moved to Athens o
Reasons for – Athens believed faced possible threat at Delos o Treasury was used for Athens own personal interests – certain % were spent on increasing Athenian temples and building funds o Remained went to league
Methods used to control enemies

Garrisons established in rebel cities – sent to protect Athenian officials o “…the council installed by the (Athenians) inspectors and garrison commanders and in future by the
(outgoing) council and the garrison commander”

Athens established democratic forms government modeled on her own o Replaced the Tyrannies and Oligarchic governments

Oaths of alliance were sworn to Athens o “I will perform my duties as councilor to the best of my ability and faithfully to the people of Erythrae and of Athens and the allies. I will not revolt from the people of Athens nor will I permit others to do so”

Athens became involved with judicial affairs in 462 o
Chylicis Decree 446-5 Athens began to control local courts of some allies o Athens became insisting that they take cases to her own court

Cleruchies were settlers of Athens in allied cities – started in 450 and 446 o
Strengthened Athens control over allies o Lead to bitterness of Athens – Athenians would take best agricultural land o Plutarch “a healthy fear of rebellion” o Eurboea revolted in 447-6 Pericles “transported the whole population of Histiea from their territory and replaced then with Athenian colonists” – Plutarch
Pericles and Athens

Middle 5 th Century Athens dominated by Pericles o
Responsible for completing Athenian democracy b/w 462 – 450BC o
Pericliean Athens center of Greek commercial world and cultural activity o Empire brought wealth and prestige

Introduced reforms to help make country more democratic o
Payment for state services o Participation of lower class in government o Establishment of social welfare o Extensive building program
Ostracism

Introduced as people were suspicious of those in power o “this law had been enacted because of their suspicion of those in power…”
–Aristotle

Plutarch believes attempt to keep people humble o “It was described for the sake of appearances as a measure to curtail and humble a mans power and prestige in cases where these had grown oppressive” Plutarch

Organized through a vote o “…they decided by vote whether there is to be a vote on ostracism or not” – Aristotle o “Each voter took an ostrakon, or piece of earthware, wrote on it the name of the citizen he wished to be banished and carried it to a part of the market place” – Plutarch
Contributions of Individuals to Athenian Democracy

Themistocles o
Proposed money from silver mines be used to build fleet – increased power of the lower classes o “To come before the people and propose that the revenue from the silver mines at Laurium which the
Athenians had been in the habit of dividing among themselves should be set aside and the money be used to build tremens” – Plutarch o Took power away from the army and gave it to the navy o “He turn (the Athenians) to use Plato’s phrase, from steadfast hoplites into sea tossed mariners and he earch for himself the charge that he had deprived the Athenians of the spear and the shield and degraded them to the rowing benches and the oar…” Plutarch o Rising power of the lower class

o “The effect of this was to increase the influence of the people at the expense fo the nobility and fill them with confidence, since the control of policy now passed into the hands of sailors…” Plutarch

Aristides o
Opposed Themistocles – favored the aristocratic’s o “Aristides supported an aristocratic form of government and so constantly found himself in opposition to
Themistocles” – Plutarch o Second opposition was rise in power of the lower class o
Themistocles spread rumors that Aristides was attempting to gain power over Athens o “Aristides had abolished the public courts, and that without anybody noticing it has made himself virtually the ruler of Athens” – Plutarch

Cimon o
Favored the Spartans o Attempted to keep strong relations with the Spartans o “The Spartan’s on their side did much to strengthen Cimon’s position, as they soon became bitterly hostile to Themistocles and were therefore concerned that Cimon…should exercise greater power and influence” –
Plutarch o Athenians became annoyed with the pro-Spartan nature of Cimon o “But afterwards, when their power had grown they saw that Cimon was whole heartedly attached to the
Spartans, they resented this, not least because of his tendency to sing the praises of Sparta” – Plutarch o Cimon opposed political change in Athens o Ostracized after activities of 462 o “they returned home in a fury and proceeded to take public revenge upon the friends of Sparta in general and Cimon in particular. They seized upon some trifling pretext to ostracize him and condemn him to exile” – Plutarch

Ephialtes o Made various changes to the democratic position of Athens o Removed influence of the Aeropagus o “…they deprived the Aeropagus of all but a few of the issues which had been under its jurisdiction. They took control of the courts of justice and transformed the city into a thoroughgoing democracy” – Plutarch o “Ephialtes…became a leader of the people and made an attack upon the Aeropagus” – Aristotle

Pericles o Introduced three primary reforms into Athens o Pay for members of the jury
 “Pericles was the first to introduce payment for services on the law courts” Aristotle o
Reduced the power of the Aeropagus further – introducing limiting reforms that allowed people more freedom o “the constitution became even more democratic. He took away some of the powers of the Aeropagus and, what is more important, he turned Athens definitely towards its sea power” – Aristotle

Causes, course and consequences of the Persian Wars
The Ionian Revolt

In 499BC Ionian Tribes under Aristogoras rose in rebellion

Tyrants were unpopular

Repression of democratic gov. within Ionian led to cultural decline

Trade continued – spread to Italy, Thrace and Black Sea

Yearly tribute had be paid to Persia

513 Darius sent expedition to Thrace and Scythia – Greeks worried as had gold and silver mines in area o
Darius could not conquer area but took gold and silver mines o Angered Ionian Greeks

499BC Aristogoras attempted take over of Naxos

Persuaded Strap of Lydia to help

Attacked Naxos and failed – fear of Persian anger switched sides became pro-Grecian o Approached from ex-Naxo’s citizens urged to revolt. o Persia promised reinstate Oligarchs on Naxos o Megabates betrayed Aristogoras and started Ionian Revolt of Greece against Persia

498BC – Athens, Eretria and Ionian’s marched against Persians

Temple of Cybele was burnt

Temple of Apollo at Didyma was destroyed

Greeks beaten

494BC – Persians were in control of Ionian cites


492 Miletus was taken
Causes of the Revolt

Herodotus believes caused by ambitions of Tyrant of Miletus, Aristogoras

Wide spread discontent b/w Greek cities since made Persian subjects

Underlying causes; o
Greeks lost independence due to being subjects of Persia o Pay tribute to King Persia o Persians used Greek pro-Persian tyrants to control cites

Direct causes o
Miletus was detained in Susa o Son in law in charge of Miletus – approached by group from Naxos who been removed from leading the country by uprisings o Aristogoras made exiles from Naxo’s offer – hoping make himself ruler of Naxus o
Her –
“These various causes of alarm were already making Aristogoras contemplate rebellion” o Her states Historius sent msg to Aristogoras “urging him to do precisely what he was thinking of, namely to revolt”

B&M - Failure of Aristogoras – endeavored to retrieve fortunes o “This failure was fatal to the prospects of Aristogoras. He resolved to retrieve his fortune by inciting a revolt of the Asiatic Greeks against the Persian power” – BM

Motivation against the Persians
 “There were the seeds of revolt in Ionia and it would be superficial to suppose that he rebellion was due to the ambition of Greek despots…an ambitious depot was indeed the means of calling this feeling into action” - BM
Supporters of Ionia

Athens 20 warships, Eretria 5

Sparta refused to become involved o “Aristogoras undertook the mission. He went first to Sparta, but the Spartan’s refused to send help to free
Ionia from Persian oppression, even as they had before refused to aid her against Persian invasion” – BM

Reasons for Athenian help o Already on bad terms with Persia o Ex Tyrant of Athens already trying to convince Darius “To procure the subjection of Athens to himself and
Darius” o Athens democracy opposed Tyranny o Athens alarmed at Darius movements within Europe o
Athens and Ionia linked o “Miletus (city of Ionia) had been founded by Athenian settlers so it was only natural that the
Athenians…would help her in her need” – Her.

Reason for Eretrian help o
Previous conflicted helped by Ionians
Results for Allies

Her. States begun further conflicts – “The Sailing of this fleet was the beginning of trouble not only for Greece but for the other peoples”

Darius attempted revenge

Gave motivation for Darius first expedition to Greece

Athens experiences loss pride and contentment
 “The crushing of the Ionian revolt had a profound effect in Athens…the tidings of the fall of Miletus produced at
Athens a deep feeling of disappointment and sympathy” – BM
Reasons for Ionian Defeat

Persians had resources to maintain sustained war effort o “The prospects of success seemed unfavorable to those who were not acquainted with the vast resources of the Persian empire” - BM

Ionians lacked unity and disciple

Athenians and Eretrians forces attempted march to Sardis, fire broke out and forced back o “With his Athenian and Eretrian allies, Aristogoras marched up to Sardis and occupied the city…while they were there, a fire broke out and the town was burnt to the ground…they were met by a Persian force and defeated” - BM
Results of Revolt

Miletus was destroyed

o “The main and decisive event of the war was the siege of Miletus…Miletus was taken by storm; the women and children became slaves and men who survived were settled by Darius near the mouth of the Tigris” -
BM

Ionians treated with tolerance

Burning down Sardis led to hatred of Greeks o “It irrevocably compromised two states of European Greece in the eyes of Persia…” – BM
Expedition of Mardonius


Darius Son-In-Law
Main objectives were capture Eretria and Athens o “Began his march through Europe with Eretria and Athens as his main objectives” – Her o “Through Macedonia he proposed to advance into Greece in order to punish the two cities which had helped the Ionian Revolt” - BM

Mardonius was successful in capture of Macedonia and Thrace o “A fleet sailed along the coast and subdued the islands of Thrace on its way. Thrace was reduced, and
Macedonia then submitted” - BM

Mardonius fleet was destroyed

Her – disastrous campaign for Persians

BM – Expedition credible even though Mardonius lost fleet – had fulfilled objectives o “Mardonius returned; he had lost many ships. But he had fulfilled the more important parts of his task” –
BM
The Attack on Athens – Battle of Marathon 490BC

Darius made known that aiming to capture Greece

No Greek policy came out against Darius o Because – Athenians divided o Members of Peloponnesian League did not feel directly targeted o North Greeks felt helpless – did not believe Sparta would come to their aid
Causes

Darius wanted to punish Athens and Eretria

Their connection with burning of Sardis angered him

Hippias urged Darius to invade the city that cased him out
Course

Persia move across Aegean sea

Athens and Eretria had NO common plans

7 days – Eretria burnt down and inhabitants enslaved

Miltiades chosen to be Strategos of tribe. o “he was the soul of resistance which his country now offered to the invader”

Proposed army march to Marathon to met Persians

Plateans joined Athenians

Athens broke dead lock o Her – Miltiades persuaded generals to go into battle o BM – Callimachus made decision to go into battle

Persians crossed plan and broke enemy line
Consequences

Cyclad islands submitted to Persia

Eretria destroyed

Athens avoided capture o “The success of Marathon inspired Greece to withstand the later and greater invasion”

Immortalised Miltiades
Persian Preparations

Darius Demanded submission of Grecian states o He demanded “earth and water” o Athens’s and Sparta killed the envoys – “By a breech of the most elementary international rules and the commands of religion, the envoys were put to death” - Ehren

Islands of Aegean submitted – out of fear o “Most of the other states complied with the Persian demand, especially the islands which were most exposed to the danger of naval attack” – Ehren

o “To this demand many states acceded; important among them were the island states and hot least the strong naval state of Aegina” - Hammond

Submission of Aegina increased tension b/w Grecian states – they had long been enemies of Athens o “The Persian Fleet, reinforce by its newly won adherents in the Aegean would descend upon them next year and assault them in their isolation” – Hammond o Her. believes this allowed for pact b/w Athens and Sparta - “…therefore they entered into correspondence with Sparta and accused the Aeginentas of being traitors to Greece” - Her
Recruitment of an army and Fleet

Persians fleet was “supplied by subject peoples, Ionians and Aeolians included” – Ham
Selection of the Leaders

Darius replaced Mardonius with other commanders o “Relieved Mardonius of his command and appointed other generals, whom he proposed to send against
Eretria and Athens…(including) his own nephew Artaphernes” – Her.
Darius Aims
1.
Punish Eretria and Athens
2.
Extend the Persian Empire o “The immediate intention of Darius was to obtain control of the Cyclodes and to punish Athens and Eretria for their part in the Ionian Revolt” – Ham o “But his ultimate purpose, already revealed by the demand for earth and water’ was to conquer and annex the Greek Mainland” – Ham
3.
Strengthen Loyalty of Ionians o “To strengthen the loyalty of the Ionians was also essential in the view of Darius’ plans against Greece” –
Ehren.
4.
Ex Tyrant Hippies wanted regain control of Athens o “The expedition was accompanied by Hippies the Peisdratide, who counted on support in Athens and
Attica” – Ham
5.
Capture of Athens would give Darius foothold in Greece
The Fate of Eretria

Athens sent men to help protect them o “We are told that four thousand Athenian cleruchs from Chalas were dispatched to help Eretria” – Ehren o “In Eretria at the news of the Persian approach the people at once called to Athens for help and the call was not refused, for the Athenians sent their assistance the four thousand men…” – Her o Ehren believes possible that did not send help to Eretria – “…to cover the fact that Athens sent no help at all…for Athens needed every solider herself” - Ehren

Opinions divided within the country – whether to resist the attack or not

Eretria was seized and fell to the Persians o “Eretria fell after a few days’ siege and was sacked, the people were enslaved and taken away” – Ehren
Athenian Strategy and Leadership

Commander in Chief = Callimachus

Ten generals played role in decision making process

Miltiades proposed idea to fight at marathon o “He had had first hand experience of the Persian army during the Scythian Campaign” – Ham

The generals been divided about whether to go into battle or not o “Opinion was divided somewhere against risking a battle, on the ground that the Athenian force was to small to stand a chance” – Her

Hoped Persian cavalry would stuff up o “He now waited, hoping that the Persian cavalry would make a false move or some other chance would enable him to attack” - Ham
Why the Athenians and Plataeans Won

Leadership and Strategy o Callimachus’ knowledge o Miltiades knowledge o Persians confined to hills and sea

Skill, discipline and arms of Athens and Plataeans hoplites o Greek hoplites more skilled o Better protection and armed o Drilled unit of armored infantry – Persians old-fashioned, uncoordinated style


Greek defense of their freedom o Wanted rule themselves without tyrant o More unified in defense

Fear of Spartan Arrival o Persians feared Sparta

Greeks knew Terrain of Marathon
Significance of Marathon

Persians
1.
Check of Persian plans for expansion
2.
Persians weakened – not give up hope
3.
Darius determined for revenge
4.
Learnt about Greek fighting methods
5.
Believed greater force needed

Greeks
1.
Moral victory
2.
Greeks no longer believed Persians unbeatable
3.
Underestimated future threats
4.
Victory for democracy
5.
Gained prestige – emerged as leading Greek state
6.
Men took heroic role
Archeological evidence

Mound of Marathon - at least 30 Athenian died o Funeral Urns found on mound – burnt bones suggest cremation

Marble Relief of 5 th C Athenian Hoplites – information about what Greek hoplite wore o Used spears to fight and spears

Corinthian Type Bronze Helmet – “Miltiades dedicated me” show importance of Miltiades

Coin 486 – shows how important victory was to the Athenians

Monument to Commemorate Marathon - shows importance – inscription “The valor of these men will shine as a light imperishable forever”
The Second Invasion of Athens – 480BC

Headed by Darius son Xerxes

Included the Battle of o
Thermopylae - military o
Artemisium – naval o Salamis – naval o Plataea – military o
Mycale – Naval

Themistocles was decisive for the Greeks
 The Persian’s cut a canal through Athos – to stop sinking of ship o BM believe this was Xerxes showing off – “That was more ostentation that made Xerxes have the canal dug”
BM

Persians bridged the Stryman river and Hellespoint o Hellespoint – created two floating bridges – Her “constructed across the Hellespoint from Asia to Europe” o
First attempted failed – water got 300 lashes
Persian Preparations

Xerxes was influenced by cousin Mardonius o “It is related that Xerxes was himself undecided but was over-persuaded by the impetuous counsels of his cousin Mardonius” – BM

Demanded submission from Greek states o “Xerxes first act was to send representatives to every place in Greece except Athens and Sparta with a demand for earth and water and further to prepare entertainment from hi against his coming” - Her
Reasons for Invading
1.
Revenge over Greece – failure of Darius
2.
If could conquer = prestige
3.
Punishment on Athens
4.
Add power and territory to Persia
Xerxes Reasons
R – Revenge
P – Prestige

Greek Preparations

Look at the degree of co-operation and co-ordination of the Greek forces in face of the upcoming invasion

Congress at the Isthmus o
Sparta given command of military and navy o “The Claim of Sparta to the leadership of the army was once admitted…they declared they would submit only to a Spartan leader” – BM o Feuds and disputes ended o “The congress attempted to reconcile such feuds, and Athens and Aegina laid aside their enemy to fight together…” BM o Spies sent to Asia o Envoys sent to Greek states o “In the hope of unity…the whole Greek world, and of bringing all various communities to undertake joint action in face of the common danger” – Her
Isthmus Congress
1.
Sparta = army & navy
2.
End disputes
3.
Spies
4.
Envoys

Greek Strategy o Themistocles leader – he built up the navy o “The Greeks had plenty of time for their preparations – for strengthening their defenses and building new ships” BM

Consolation of Delphi Oracle o Prophecies revealed Spartan King would die o
Athens told put up wooden walls o “That the wooden walls only shall not fall, but help you and your children” - Her
Advantages and disadvantages of Greek Unified resistance
For

Pooling of Resources

Signal military leadership

Co-ordination of Strategies

Panhellenism – movement for
Against

Unequal contribution of city states

Feuding cities states mistrusted each other

Smaller states scarified for stronger

Rival cities unable to agree on war policy
Greek unity

Placing Greek security before regional concerns

The Battle of Thermopylae and Artemisium
Causes

Xerxes influenced by Mardonius to seek revenge

Herodotus – Greek exiles in Persia influenced Xerxes

Reasons Xerxes gave o Continue in footsteps past kings o
Add power o
Greek cities received demands of sub – showed revenge was not major issue
Course – Thermopylae Land Battle

Leonidas positioned near Alpene – held narrow mountain pass

Informed that Persian could detour around Greek position – put Phoians there

Persian attempts to move across failed

Xerxes sent immortals

Greeks retired and submitted

Leonidas was killed and mutilated

BM state Thermopylae was chosen as narrow gate to all Greece
Artemisium Sea Battle

Greeks under Themistocles and Eurybiades – anchored at Artemisium

Persians lost ships in storm while off coast


Persian ships destroyed when attempted to pass the Greeks

Athens made raids

Xerxes order Persian ships to break through as army needed supplies
Consequences

Greeks lost approx. 4000men, Persians 20 000men

Greeks destroyed Persian fleet

Persians attacked central Greece- many states submitted

Plataeons and Thespians fled as city burnt down

General evacuation of Athens

Defeat at Thermopylae made lasting impression on Greece – showed Spartan bravery

Column erected at Sparta for names of those 300 who died
Battle of Salamis
Cause

Persians broke through inner gate of Greece at Thermopylae

Athens returned, army sent to protect Isthmus

Boeotia and Attica unprotected

Majority of council voted to fight Persians at isthmus
 “the advantage of this seemed to be that they would be in close touch with the land forces and have the Peloponnesian as a retreat in case of defeat” – BM

Peloponese would have preferred to protect the isthmus as closer to home

Themistocles argued for Salamis
 “it would be much more advantageous to fight in the narrow waters of the Salamian channel then in the open bay of the isthmus, where the superior speed and number of the hostile ships would tell” – BM

Threatened to removed Athens if they did not agree
 “The Athenians, who were half the fleet, would cease to cooperate with their allies and seek new homes at Siris in South
Italy”

Defeat Persia at Salamis meant they would not advance onto mainland Greece
Course

Themistocles sent a messenger to tell Persians that the Greeks were planning to escaped – they got into position and were not ready for the attack

Phonecians led Persian fleet into narrows

Eurybiasas and squadrons moved down channel to overlap Phonecians

Persian ships on confusion rammed each other

Greeks waited until south wind brought heavy swell

Phoencian ships broadsided allowing Greek ships to ram them

Many of Persians drowned and slaughtered
Consequences

News of defeat meant Ionians would revolt (did year later)

Important battle for Greeks

Ended Persian strategy of combined naval/military attacks – left without supply line

Themistocles naval policy justified

Salamis was victory for government – democratic beating autocratic
 “it prevented the Persians from sailing against the Peloponese and destroying the cities one by one, for no system of mutual defense could have been organized in the face of the Persian naval supremity…the fate of the Hellas depended on her navy” – Thuy
 “Themistocles name was on everybody lips and he acquired the reputation of being by far the most able man in the country” – Her
The Battle of Plataea
Cause

Persian army ready action after retreating to North for winter

Mardonius chose area as good for Calvary

Athens refused to take up Mardonius offer to become allies with Persians against Sparta

Course

Original Position o Fortunes change – Persian generals failing from horse wounded o
Her – Persian camp filled with lamentation

Battle Position – 2 nd Position o Greeks moved lower ground of Plataea – gained water supply – Persian could not attack in present position o Persians set off on roads where Greek provinces were traveling – chocked up water supply o Greeks remained inactive in position for 10 days under attack

Battle of Plataea – Final Position o Greeks no choice but fall back to previous position o
Pausanias held Council of War – decided to move ridge b/w Hyside and Plataea – division would be sent further up slop to regain pass to Athens o Battle – rivalry within Persian camp b/w Mardonius and Artabuzus o “The discipline of the best spearman of Greece proved itself brilliantly when Mardonius fell the battle was decided” - BM
Consequences

Greeks planned commemoration for victory

BM – harsh on judgment of Athenians o Stated they played no role in the victory – “They had no share in the victory” but attempted to write history like they did o State success of battle rested on the “discipline and prowess” of the Spartans

Athenian folk law and Herodotus both written history to say that the Athenians won the battle

BM – “the fruitless attempt of Spartans to shirk the responsibility of their post on the right wing…are all improbable in themselves. Nevertheless this story was circulated and believe, and has received a start of conservation in the Page of Herodotus”

Pinador links Salamis and Plataea as being the great triumphs of Sparta and Athens

Never again did Persia make a serious threat to Athens

Plataea cited as best example of Greek unity o 23 states taken oath to fight together o Greeks faced difficulties and fought together
The Battle of Mycale and Recapture of Sestos

Mycale – Greek fleet freed Asiastic Greeks (Ionians) from the Persian rule

Ionians anxious to revolt and Persian forces were vulnerable o
Greeks sailed for Samos – Persians decided not to fight in sea battle o
Greeks landed, attacked and burnt Persian camp

Ionians deserted Persians and won freedom

Greeks sailed back to Samos – decided future of Ionians o
Sparta – suggested they be brought back to Eastern Greece o Athens – supported wish to remain where they were

Period after seen as beginning of the start of the Athenian empire

Themistocles was the instigator of the development of Athenian naval power

Called for the money found at the silver mines to be spent on the development of the Athenian navy

Themistocles believed safety of Athens lay in its navy not army o “Clearly Themistocles saw in the navy an instrument not only for ending the war with Aegina, or increasing the power of the lower class but above all for meeting the Persian attack which was bound to come” - Ehrenburg

The outbreak of war with Aegina said to have helped Athens develop her navy o “the outbreak of war (with Aegina) at that moment saved Greece by forcing Athens to become a maritime power” – Her.

The battle of Marathon showed Athens that only be recognized as a great power within Athens if they built the sea power up o “The circumstances of this event (Marathon) proved clearly that the fate of Hellas depended on her ships”–
Thucy o “At the same time he will have recognized that only as a sea power could Athens become a really great power within the Greek world” - Ehrenburg


See notes above

Thucy. – Believes that the real cause of the war was Athenian imperialism o Athens was growing in power and strength o Claims that Carcyra and Potidaea were only of secondary importance

Thucy tells why he thinks the war occurred but does not take into account the reason why the war started o Saw Corinth as being the main instigator of the war – they aggravated a war that was always going to happen

Megarian Decree o
Bury aggress that The Megarian Decree became important in lead up to the war because of the cruelty they showed to the state o Aristophanes and Plutarch claim that the outbreak of the war was due to the Megarian Decree o “In fact it seems likely that the Athenians might have avoided war on anyone of the issues if only they could have been persuaded to lift their embargo against the Megarians and come to terms with them” - Plutarch

Bury claims that it was a combination of all three events that caused the war o Role of Athens within Corinth, Corcyra and Potidaea contributed to Megara being a justifiable reason to go to war.

Thucy claims that long term causes of the war – Sparta’s jealousy and fear of Athens growing power began the war is seem as to simplistic for the cause of the war

Other issues considered important for the cause of the war o
Opposing political beliefs – conflict b/w Oligarchy and democracy o Radical and cultural differences b/w Ionians and Dorians o Commercial and economic reasoning o Personal motivations of Pericles
The Drift to War 445 – 431

Thucy saw war as inevitable as “growth of Athenian power and the fear which this caused Sparta” – Thucy

Believed that o Since 479 Athens been growing more powerful and given offense to many states o 460 notable rift occurring b/w Athens and Sparta o 456 – 446 Athens incurred hostility of Sparta’s ally Corinth

445 Athens signed peace treaty with Sparta
Immediate incidents leading to the breaking of the 30yrs of peace

Growth of Athenian power made war inevitable

Number of disputes b/w Athens and Sparta

Dispute b/w Corcyra and Corinth o Corcyra was a colony of Corinth o
Had own colony of Epidamus – revolt broke out, Corcyra refused to help, Corinth intervened o Resulted in quarrel b/w two nations o Corcyra asked Athens for allience in cause of Corinth attacking o Thucy. “it gave Corinth her first cause for war against Athens”

Potidaea o Corinth sought way to involve Sparta and allies in war with Athens o Potidaea revolted from Athens in 432 – Corinth supported the war o Athens put Potidaea under siege o
Corinth had two grievances against Athens

Sparta could lead league in general war against Athens or most powerful ally would defer

Athens and her allies attempt to subdue Potidaea – risk losing her empire as other states would attempt to leave the league

The Megarian Decree o Pericles preparing Athens for war

Reorganized finances in 434-33 and paid of debts

Building program came to an end to save money o Renewed alliances o Issued the Megarian Decree

Excluded Megara from the markets and ports of Athenian empire

Pericles did this to show strength of Athens

Prof. Adcock – believes degree against Megara did not cause war but was an operation of war


Assemblies of Sparta o First assembly held to hear complaints of Spartan allies
 “Anyone who had claimed to have suffered from Athenian aggression” Thucy o
Corinthians denounced Athenian imperialism o “Athens had deprived some states of their freedom and is scheming to do the same thing to others” Thucy o Corinth blamed Sparta for enabling Athens to gain control of Delian League o Athens spoke to the assembly and urged Sparta to solve their problems without war o Sparta’s allies were so insistent that if Sparta did not take leadership there leadership of the League would come under question

War finally began in 431 when Thebons attacked Athens. Causes, Course and Consequences of the Persian Wars