The Peloponessian War
431 – 404 B.C.
“ If one looks at the facts
themselves, one will see that this was the greatest war of
all.”
Thucydides
The Peloponnesian War 431 – 404 B.C.
The Archdamian War (431 – 421 B.C.)
Peace of Nicias
Sicilian Expedition 415 B.C.
The Sicilian War
The Ionian/ Decelean War (413 – 404 B.C.)
Oligarchic Coup of Athens (411 B.C.)
Defeat of Athens & End of Delian League (404 B.C.)
Contents
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Historical Background
Thirty Years’ Peace *
Greek World 431 B.C. *
Spartan Society *
Athenian Society
Clash of Cultures? *
Pericles *
Declaration of War
Battle of Sybota*
The Potidaean Affair
Cleon
Alcibiades
The Great Plague
Death of Pericles
The Archdamian War (431 – 421 B.C.)
Peace of Nicias
Sicilian Expedition 415 B.C.
The Sicilian War
The Ionian/ Decelean War (413 – 404 B.C.)
Oligarchic Coup of Athens (411 B.C.)
Defeat of Athens & End of Delian League (404 B.C.)
Historical Background
• Both Athens and Sparta had grown as empires
throughout the latter part of the 6th Century B.C. and
early 5th Century B.C.
• The First Peloponnesian War had broken out in 460 B.C.
as a result of
Empires & Alliances
Athens:
Delian League
Sparta:
Peloponnesian League
• Phlius
• Orneae
• Megara
• Elis
• Mantinea
• Thebes
• Corinth
Thirty Years’ Peace
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Signed between Athens & Sparta in 445 B.C. which brought the First
Peloponnesian War to an end. Lasted only 13 years.
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Arbitration was codified as a necessary precursor to any conflict between
the two.
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Recognised both empires (alliances) as legitimate
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Allowed neutral city-states & regions to join either alliance, but none could
switch alliances
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Neither alliance could interfere with other’s allies
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Athens had to give up a few territories, including Megarian ports
The Greek World 431 B.C.
Athens & Port of Piraeus
Clash of Cultures or Hellenistic Power
Struggle?
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Athens
Leader of the
Delian League
Democratic *
Semi-Liberal
Cosmopolitan
Cultured & Artistic
Maritime Empire
Diverse Trade Links
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Sparta
Leader of the
Peloponnesian League
Oligarchic
Ultra-Conservative,
Militaristic Society
Insular & Isolationist
Superstitious & Patriarchal
Land Power
Homogenistic
Spartan Society
An Oligarchic, Demi-Monarchic
Complexity
King
King
Gerousia: Council of 28
Spartans
Traders &
manufacturers
Perioikoi
“like someone sitting in
wait for disasters to strike
the Spartans”
Helots
Aristotle
They would gladly eat
the Spartans raw”
Xenophon
“most institutions among the Spartans have always been established with
regard to security against the Helots”
Thucydides
Sparta
• ‘Mixed constitution’; containing monarchic,
oligarchic & democratic elements
Sparta’s Allies: The Peloponnesian
League
Athenian Society:
Cosmopolitan, mixed, democratic society
Literature, arts and evolution of 'free thinking':
Socrates
Since the ascent of Pericles, Athenian
democracy had taken on a more ambitious,
outward-looking zeal
The Delian League
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Founded in early 5th Century B.C.
to resist the Persian threat. Other
city states joined.
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Treasury initially located in Delos
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Members gave money (not ships)
to combine their efforts in resisting
Persian threat
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Treasury moved to Athens in 454
B.C.
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Monies were used to strengthen
the military (naval) power of
Athens and also used to aid the
construction of the Parthenon
Pericles’ Building Programme
Pericles initiated an ambitious
building programme in 455 B.C.
“Future ages will wonder at us, as
the present age wonders at us
now.”
“Just because you do not take an
interest in politics doesn't mean
politics won't take an interest in
you”
“We do not imitate, but are a
model to others”
Pericles
495 – 429 B.C.
“Freedom is the sure possession
of those alone who have the
courage to defend it”
Pericles
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Became leader of Athens in 461 B.C.
establishing a popular vote in the Athenian
Assembly which ultimately resulted in the
exile of the Athenian leader, Cimon.
A patron of the arts
Hostile to Sparta
Led the ambitious building programme of
Athens – resulting in the timeless
architectures of the Parthenon and the
Acropolis
Ambitious, democratic and a great orator
Founded many of the democratic institutions
of Athens
Led the mission to recapture Delphi from the
Spartans in 448 B.C. and the invasion of
Samos
‘Age of Pericles’ = 460 – 429 B.C.
The Ecclesia
The Ecclesia: Pynx
Here at the 'Pynx', usually about
6,000 Athenians would voted
directly on Athenian policy, law
and elect the 'strategoi'
Pericles democratic reforms of 452451 allowed for payment of jurors,
thereby opening up attendance to
almost all levels of society.
The Ecclesia usually met about forty
times a year, deciding on public
honours, ratifying peace
agreements or declarations of
war, electing strategoi, public
construction, bestowal of honours
etc.
Corcyra & Corinth:
Emissaries in Athens
Corcyra
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“A victim to the injustice of others”
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“your welcome of us under these
circumstances will be a proof of
goodwill which will ever keep alive the
gratitude you will lay up in our hearts.”
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“yourselves excepted, we are the
greatest naval power in Hellas”
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“a power that comes in quest of
assistance being in a position to give
to the people whose alliance she
solicits as much safety and honour as
she will receive”
Corinth
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“Corinth is at least in treaty with you;
with Corcyra you were never even in
truce.”
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“Why, if you make it your policy to
receive and assist all offenders, you
will find that just as many of your
dependencies will come over to us,
and the principle that you establish will
press less heavily on us than on
yourselves”
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“When you were in want of ships of
war for the war against the Aeginetans,
before the Persian invasion, Corinth
supplied you with twenty vessels.”
Corinth v. Corcyra: Battle of Sybota 433
B.C.
• Athens receives emissaries from both Corinth & Corcyra over
dispute
• Corcyra appeals for Athenian help BUT Corinth warns Athens of any
involvement in internal Corinthian affairs
• Athens decides to help Corcyra, albeit in a defensive posture,
sending ten ships to aid her defence. Just as the Corinthians were
about to defeat Corcyra, a further 20 Athenian triremes arrived to
bolster their defense.
• When questioned by Corinthians, Athenians steadfastly declare their
willingness to defend Corcyra.
• Both Corinth & Sparta interpret this as a breach of the Thirty Years’
Peace treaty.
Battle of Sybota 433 B.C.
Significance:
1)Known as the ‘first grievance’ between the Athenians & Spartans
2)Athenian response to Corinthian delegation at the Battle of Sybota:
"Neither are we beginning war, Peloponnesians, nor are we breaking the treaty;
but these Corcyraeans are our allies, and we are come to help them. So if you
want to sail anywhere else, we place no obstacle in your way; but if you are
going to sail against Corcyra, or any of her possessions, we shall do our best to
stop you."
3)Both sides claimed victory in this battle.
Pericles’ Funeral Oration
Pericles’ Funeral Oration
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In this funeral oration for the Athenian soldiers, Pericles makes his famous
speech concerning the virtues of Athens, it’s citizens and their way of life.
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Pericles describes Athens as a “model to others” rather than an imitator.
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Pericles places Athens’ strength in its citizens, their character being a
reflection of the society they inhabit.
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Pericles also makes subtle references to Sparta and the regressive nature
of their military strength.
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Pericles extols the courage of the dead Athenians, imploring others to take
their place to secure Athens’ destiny as the greatest, and most forwardthinking state in the Hellenic world.
Thucydides: Pericles
“For as long as he was prominent in the city in peacetime he guided with moderation and preserved her in
safety, and in his time she became very great...The fact
is that he retained the power of his influence by reason
of his reputation, the quality of his mind, and his utter
integrity, and so was able to restrain his fellow-citizens
by his moderation, free though they were: he was not
led by the Many, he led them”
The City of Epidamnus
Spartan Declaration of War
The Potidaean Revolt
432 B.C.
• Colony of Corinth but a
tributary ally of Athens.*
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Three Phases of War
• The Archdamian War
431 – 421 B.C.
• The Sicilian War
• The Ionian/ Declean War
The Archdamian War
431 – 421 B.C.
431 – Outbreak of Plague in Athens
429 - Siege at Plataea - Death of Pericles
428 – Revolt of Mytilene
427 – Debate of Mytilene
426 – Battle of Olpae
425 – Battle of Pylos & Sphacteria
424 – Battle of Delium
422 – Battle of Amphipolis
421 – Peace of Nicias
Siege at Plataea 429 B.C.
"If we begin the war
in haste, we'll have
many delays
before we end it,
owing to our lack
of preparation."
- King Archidamus II
(Sparta)
Siege at Plataea 429 B.C.
Archidamus beseiged the twon of Plataea, which only consisted of 800
citizens and 85 Athenians
The Plataeans resisted courageously & Archidamus resorted to starving
the city out
Eventually, about half of the population escaped, but the other half
eventually surrendered
These were brought before a Spartan court, where they were asked
simply
"Whether, during the present war, they had rendered any assistance
to the Lacedaemonians and their allies?"
These 200 citizens & 25 Athenians were then executed. This is seen as
one of the overt causes of the Peloponnesian War
Thucydides Account: Plataea
"the treaty had now been broken by an overt
act after the affair at Plataea"
"Athens and Lacedaemon now resolved to
send embassies to the King and to such
other of the barbarian powers as either
party could look to for assistance."
Periclean Strategy:
Tactical Land Retreat & Naval War
Pericles convinced his
people to perform a
tactical retreat behind the
walls of Athens,
supported and supplied
by their powerful fleet
through the port of
Peiraeus
Of a total population of
172,000, only 60,000
citizens lived within the
city
“..the upheaval was a harsh
experience, for most of them
had always been accustomed
to live in the country...in their
grave depression they took it
badly that they were
abandoning their homes and
the shrines that had been theirs
traditionally from the very
earliest days of the community,
and that they were about to
change their style of life.”
The Great Plague
Effects of the Plague: Pericles'
Strategic Flaw
Pericles' strategy had depended on the Athenian Navy protecting their
supply ships to the Port of Pireus
This strategy proved to be their undoing; as the surrounding population
of Attica retreated behind the walls of Athens, the over-crowding
would contribute to the disease
The supply ships apparently brought the plague with them and the
whole city of Athens, walled in, became a hot-bed of disease
As the disease spread, Thucydides writes of the physical, social and
moral decay that beset the city.
In his account, we see Thucydides depart from his usual scientific,
dispassioned accounts.
Thucydides: Effects of the
Plague
Physical:
“discharges of bile of every kind named by physicians
ensued, accompanied by very great distress...internally it
burned so that the patient could not bear to have on him
clothing or linen even of the very lightest description; or
who plunged into the rain-tanks in their agonies of
unquenchable thirst..... for it settled in the privy parts, the
fingers and the toes, and many escaped with the loss of
these, some too with that of their eyes”
Thucydides: Effects of the
Plague
Social:
“the bodies of dying men lay one upon another, and half-dead
creatures reeled about the streets and gathered round all the
fountains in their longing for water....
sacred places also in which they had quartered themselves were full
of corpses of persons that had died there......
for as the disaster passed all bounds, men, not knowing what was to
become of them, became utterly careless of everything, whether
sacred or profane....
they threw their own dead body upon the stranger's pyre and ignited
it; sometimes they tossed the corpse which they were carrying on the
top of another that was burning, and so went off....”
Thucydides: Effects of the Plague
Moral:
“Men now coolly ventured on what they had formerly done in a corner, and not
just as they pleased, seeing the rapid transitions produced by persons in
prosperity suddenly dying and those who before had nothing succeeding to
their property.....
they resolved to spend quickly and enjoy themselves, regarding their lives and
riches as alike things of a day.....
it was settled that present enjoyment, and all that contributed to it, was both
honourable and useful.....
Fear of gods or law of man there was none to restrain them.....
As for the first, they judged it to be just the same whether they worshipped them
or not, as they saw all alike perishing; and for the last, no one expected to live
to be brought to trial for his offences, but each felt that a far severer sentence
had been already passed upon them all and hung ever over their heads, and
before this fell it was only reasonable to enjoy life a little.”
Death of Pericles 429 B.C.
Revolt of Mitylene 428 B.C.
Why Mitylene Revolted
Mytilenians saw an opportunity (plague in Athens, death of
Pericles and continuing war) of removing themselves from
the Athenian Delian League and of establishing their rule
over the whole island of Lesbos.
Mytilene hoped to unify the entire Island of Lesbos under its
control
Methymna, however, was a loyal ally of Athens
Peloponnesian caution as always, had delayed the offer of
Mytilenean revolt before the war
Tenedians & Mytilenians informed Athens of impending
insurrection against Athenian control
Revolt of Mitylene
Athens, upon realising that rumours of Mytilene were true, dispatched
forty ships to Lesbos.
They were to demand the turnover of Mytilean ships and the tearing
down of their walls. If not, all-out war was to be waged.
Mytileans were informed of the coming of the Athenians and began
barricading themselves inside their town
After an initial skirmish with the Athenian fleet, the Mytilenians sued for
peace. The offer was accepted and a Mytilenian ambassador was
dispatched to Athens to plead their innocence and in hope of
regaining their ships detained at Athens.
However, in case of failure, the Mytilenians also sent an ambassador to
Lacedaemon to plead for assistance. This duplicity would have
profound implications for the citizenry of Mytilene.
Battle of Lesbos
Mytilenian ambassador to Athens returns empty-handed; battle
recommences
Athenians & their allies formed a naval blockade of the island
An Anthenian sortie meanwhile ravaged lands along the coast of the
Peloponnese
The Mytilenian Ambassador was instructed by the Spartans to come to
Olympia, so that the Peloponnese Alliance could hear his request.
The Mytilenian rationale in this speech is......
Mityleanian Request to Sparta
"Justice and honesty will be the first topics of our speech, especially as
we are asking for alliance;....
...as long as the Athenians led us fairly we followed them loyally; but
when we saw them relax their hostility to the Mede, to try to compass
the subjection of the allies, then our apprehensions began...
...but the same system also enabled them to lead the stronger states
against the weaker first, and so to leave the former to the last,
stripped of their natural allies, and less capable of resistance...
We accepted each other against our inclination; fear made them court us
in war, and us them in peace...
Our revolt, however, has taken place prematurely and without
preparation- a fact which makes it all the more incumbent on you to
receive us into alliance and to send us speedy relief, in order to show
that you support your friends, and at the same time do harm to your
enemies.
Athens Invades
Peloponnese invade Attica (after request of Mytilenians)
Athens ravages Spartan coast
Mytilenians attack Methymna (ally of Athens)
Athens reponds with an invasion force; first by a naval blockade
of the town, reinforced by 1,000 infantrymen under Paches,
blockading Mytilene with a wall either side; by land and by
sea.
Salaethus was sent to inform the Mytilenians of forthcoming help
from the Peloponnesians. (40 ships)
Eventually, the Mytilenians realise that no help is forthcoming
from the Peloponnesians, demand that the city authorities sue
for peace with the Athenians. Salaethus' attempt to lead the
citizenry in arms against the Athenians leads to this general
Settlement in Lesbos
Paches, the Athenian commander, now took control of Mytilene &
seized Antissa.
Paches sent Salaethus and over a thousand Mytilenians to Athens to
await judegement
Paches then settled in Mytilene with the remainder of his forces,
dispatching most of them back to Athens with the prisoners
Debate of Mitylene (427 B.C.)
Debate in Athens: Mitylene
Salaethus was immediately put to death, nothwithstanding his offer of
removing the Peloponnesians from Plataea
Great resentment & anger was felt at the Mytilenian revolt
The Peloponnesian fleet, spotted on its way to relieve the Mytilenian
insurrection against Athens, now became evidence of a longplanned treachery of Mytilene against Athens.
Many felt that severe punishment should be brought against Mytilene:
1) Kill the entire male population of Mytilene, not just the guilty
prisoners brought to Athens
2) enslave all the females and children of Mytilene
A message was dispatched to Paches, at Mytilene, to carry out these
orders.
Cleon: Warmonger &
Demagogue?
Cleon, a former opponent of Pericles in the
Athenian Assembly and now one of its most
powerful statesmen, advocated a total
reprisal against the Mytilenian population as
an example to the rest of the Delian League.
Cleon had proposed the removal of Pericles in
430 BC for 'maladministration of Athenian
finances'
Described by Thucydides as a warmonger and
demagogue: Thucydides was exiled due to a
decree by Cleon for 'military incapacity'
Cleon has become infamous in history for his
proposal to genocidally-cleanse Mytilene both
in reprisal and for the sake of setting an
example to all of Athens' rivals
Image:‘Bluster’, from Aristophanes’
Knights
depiction of Cleon?
Mitylenian Debate:
Cleon
"I have often before now been convinced that a democracy is incapable of empire”
“never reflect that the mistakes into which you may be led by listening to their appeals”
“bring you no thanks for your weakness from your allies; entirely forgetting that
your empire is a despotism and your subjects disaffected conspirators, whose
obedience is ensured not by your suicidal concessions, but by the superiority given
you by your own strength and not their loyalty”
“ ordinary men usually manage public affairs better than their more gifted fellows. The
latter are always wanting to appear wiser than the laws, and to overrule every
proposition brought forward, thinking that they cannot show their wit in more important
matters”
“where vengeance follows most closely upon the wrong, it best equals it and most amply
requites it”
“this is not revolt- revolt implies oppression; it is deliberate and wanton aggression; an
attempt to ruin us by siding with our bitterest enemies; a worse offence than a war
undertaken on their own account in the acquisition of power”
Mitylenian Debate:
Diodotus
Mitylenian Resolution
Battle of Olpae 426 B.C.
Demosthenes & King Agis
Battle of Pylos & Sphacteria
425 B.C.
Battle of Pylos & Sphacteria
Demosthenes, on his way to put down a
revolt in Sicily, was driven by a storm
into Pylos.
Here, Demosthenes, realising he was on
Spartan territory, instructed his men to
fortify the coast with whatever stone &
wood they could find.
Demosthenes then sent out 2 triremes
(ships) to bring back the Athenian
Navy- Eurymedon - to aid them. He
had 5 ships left.
The Spartan ships, seeing that they're
territory was being held by Athenians,
attempted to blockade them with ships
in the Bay of Navarrino and placing
troops on the island of Sphacteria
Battle of Pylos & Sphacteria
The Spartans, somewhat distracted
by a religious festival and their
annual invasion of Attica(15 days)
at this time, were slow to respond.
When they did, the Peloponnese
occupied the mainland and
brought 60 ships in to surround
the Athenian stronghold
They occupied the island of
Sphacteria with 420 men under
Epitadas
The Spartans intended to blockade
both the inlet by Pylos (2 ships)
and the entrance to the Bay of
Navarriono (8-9 ships)
Day 1:
Demosthenes brought 60 of his
heavy infantry and a few archers
outside his fortifications to repel
any assault by landing craft
Spartan assault by land & sea: 43
ships under Thrasymelidas
Brasidas led the most courageous of
assaults on the fortification, but
upon landing, was eventually
severely wounded and beaten
back – his shield was picked up
by the Athenians and used as a
trophy
Demosthenes' Speech at Pylos
“In emergencies like ours calculation is out of place; the sooner the
danger is faced the better...
...One of the points in our favour is the awkwardness of the landing...
...supposing that we succeed in repulsing him, which we shall find it
easier to do, while he is on board his ships, than after he has landed and
meets us on equal terms...
Large as they may be he can only engage in small detachments, from
the impossibility of bringing to...
to stand fast in the present emergency, beat back the enemy at the
water's edge, and save yourselves and the place."
Battle of Sphacteria & Pylos
Day 2:
Day 3:
Battle of Amphipolis 422 B.C:
Death of the 'War-Hawks'
Battle of Amphipolis
March 422 B.C.
Spartans
Athenians
Brasidas
Cleon
-2,000 hoplites
-1,500 Athenians
-Some allies
-Attack or Siege??
Battle of Amphipolis
Cleon Hesitates while Brasidas takes the High Ground
Cleon, attempting to launch an attack against Amphipolis, first took the
town of Torone and captured up to 700 prisoners.
Having set up a trophy, Cleon then sailed onto Amphipolis, where
Brasidas was fortifying the defenses.
Cleon then made his base in Eion, and called for reinforcements from
Thrace.
Brasidas observed the inaction of Cleon’s forces at Eion, and took an
observation point at Cerdylium. This, according to Thucydides, was
a point “commanding a view on all sides”
Brasidas called up 1,500 Thracian mercenaries and Chalcidian
targeteers, heavy infantry (approx. 2,000) & 300 “Hellenic horse”
1,500 were stationed on high ground with Brasidas at Cerdylium, the
rest reinforcing the town of Amphipolis
Battle of Amphipolis:
Cleon advances towards Amphipolis
Thucydides states that Cleon was forced into premature action as:
“His soldiers, tired of their inactivity, began also seriously to reflect
on the weakness and incompetence of their commander, and the
skill and calour that would be opposed to him, and on their own
original unwillingness to accompany him.”
Cleon apparently heard these rumours and decided to advance just as
he had at Pylos
Without waiting for his reinforcements, his plan to surround and
besiege the city was now hopeless and advancing meant engaging
with the enemy. There was, from his viewpoint, no apparent
defences in the town. Posting his forces on a hill opposite
Amphipolis, he again waited.
Battle of Amphipolis:
Brasidas’ Counter-Strategem
Brasidas came down from Cerdylium to the town upon seeing Cleon’s
advance.
Brasidas took 150 heavy infantry, leaving the rest under his
subordinate, Clearidas, and decided to attack the Athenians just as
they were retiring from their vantage point on the hill opposite.
Brasidas instructed Clearidas to follow with the rest of the
Amphipolitans once he had struck “terror” in “their centre”
Brasidas decided on this ‘strategem’ as he knew reinforcements would
not long be arriving for Cleon.
Brasidas delivered a speech to his men, explaining why they were
taking such a risky move:
Brasidas’ Speech
Battle of Amphipolis
“I imagine it is the poor opinion that he has of us, and the fact that he
has no idea of any one coming out to engage him, that has made
the enemy march up to the place and carelessly look about him as
he is doing”
“..the most successful soldier will always be the man who most happily
detects a blunder like this..”
“...by seizing the opportunity of the moment...”
“do the greatest service to our friends by most completely deceiving our
enemies...”
“...while their careless confidence continues...more of retreat than of
maintaining their position...while their spirit is slack...”
“...take them by surprise and fall with a run upon their centre...”
Battle of Amphipolis
Cleon was finally made aware of the great trap that was forming, and
having been informed further of the waiting forces inside the gates of
Amphipolis, gave the order for retreat to be effected by the left wing
moving in the direction of Eion.
Cleon, in his urgency, pushed the right wing into retreat as well and
according to Thucydides, thereby;
“..thus turning its unarmed side to the enemy..”
Brasidas, upon seeing this general disarray and hurry within the
Athenians’ retreat, shouted to his soldiers:
“Those fellows will never stand before us, one can see that by the way
their spears and heads are going. Troops who do as they do seldom
stand a charge. Quick, someone, and open the gates I spoke of, and
let us be out and at them with no fears for the result.”
Battle of Amphipolis
Brasidas’ forces emerged from behind the gates and ran directly at the
centre of the retreating Athenians, while Clearidas emerged with the
remainder of the forces from the Thracian gates to support him.
Attacked on both sides, the Athenians were routed by surprise,
confusion and broken in two by their left flank advancing earlier to
Eion.
Brasidas was struck down in the fight, while Cleon, attempting to
escape, was cut down by a Myrcinian targeteer.
The Athenian infantry was entirely surrounded at one point, before
being totally destroyed and/ or dispersed among the hills, escaping
back to Eion.
Battle of Amphipolis:
Aftermath
Brasidas lived long enough to hear of the victory and Clearidas set up
the tophy
Brasidas was buried at the town’s expense, and thereafter was
honoured by the people with sacrifices and the honour of the games
Thucydides account regarding Brasidas’ stature after the Battle of
Amphipolis:
“...for they considered that Brasidas had been their preserver, and
courting as they did the alliance of Lacedaemon for fear of Athens,
in their present hostile relations with the latter they could no longer
with the same advantage or satisfaction pay Hagnon his honours.”
Thucydides describes the battle succinctly as an;
“...affair of accident and panic that I have described”
Peace of Nicias 421 B.C.
From ‘Hawks to Doves’
Peace Settlement or Strategic
Ceasefire?
Peace of Nicias 421 B.C.
From Hawks to Doves
Why?
Thucydides gives a number of
reasons for both sides wanting
peace at this time.
- Spartans were eager for peace,
having being reluctant to enter
war in the beginning
- With the death of Cleon, many
Athenians felt that peace was a
strategic positive
-
Resources?
Peace of Nicias 421 B.C.
Differing Motives
Sparta
Athens
-Strategem of annual invasions into -Two successive defeats at
Attica had proved fruitless
Delium (424) & Amphipolis (422)
had left their ambitions in tatters
-Humiliation at Pylos had greatly
unnerved her resolve
-Desparate to gain return of
captured Spartan soldiers (Pylos &
Sphacteria) who were related to
‘first families’ and therefore the
governing body
-Helots were deserting
-30 Year Treaty with Argos about to
expire: Argives demanding the
return of Cynuria
-Death of Cleon had removed a
‘war-hawk’ from a principal
position in Athens
-Concerned about recent losses
tempting her allies to rebel
Peace of Nicias 421 B.C.
Thucydides also makes another reference to the two great opponents
of peace on both sides;
Cleon, who according to Thucydides had opposed peace because;
“he thought that, if tranquility were restored, his crimes would be more
open to detection and his slanders less credited..”
&
Brasidas, who according to Thucydides had opposed peace because;
“...from the success and honour which war gave him...”
Peace of Nicias 421 B.C.
Thucydides now makes reference to the two ‘heirs’ in both Athens &
Lacedaemon;
Nicias, who according to Thucydides, wanted to;
“...secure his good fortune, to obtain a present release from trouble...
Hand down to posterity a name as an ever-successful
statesman...keep out of danger...commit himself as little as possible
to fortune...”
&
Pleistoanax, whom Thucydides describes as being assailed by
opponents at home;
“...regularly held up by them to the prejudice of his countrymen, upon
every reverse that befell them, as though his unjust restoration were
the cause....accusation that he and his brother had bribed the
prophetess at Delphi...”
Peace of Nicias 421 B.C.
Terms of the Treaty (1)
•
Restore Athens’ territories taken in war * Restore Sparta’s territories taken in
war (except Nisea)
1) Touching the national temples, ....free passage by land and by sea to all who wish it...to sacrifice, travel, consult
and attend the oracle or games, according to the customs of their countries
2) Temple & Shrine of Apollo at Delphi and the Delphians shall be governed by their own laws, taxed by their own state, judged by
their own judges, the land & the people, according to the custom of their country
3) Treaty shall be binding for 50 years, by Athens & her allies, and by Lacedaemon & her allies, without fraud or
hurt by land or by sea
4) It shall not be lawful to take up arms, with intent to do hurt, either for the Lacedaemonians & their allies against
the Athenians & their allies, (vice-versa as per Athens) in any way or means whatsoever. But should any
difference arise between them they are to have recourse to law and oaths, according as may be agreed
between the parties.
Peace of Nicias 421 B.C.
Terms of the Treaty (2)
5) Lacedaemonians shall return Amphipolis to the Athenians. In the case of cities given up by the
Lacedaemonians to the Athenians, the inhabitants shall be allowed to go where they please & take their
property with them: and the cities shall be independent, paying only the tribute of Aristides.
7)
8)
9)
10)
Biographies
•Pericles: Leader of Athens
•Cleon: Opponent of Pericles, ‘Hawk’, Demagogue
•Demosthenes: Strategoi, Master-Tactician
•Alcibiades:
Nicias:
Brasidas:
Archidamus:
Agis II:
Thucydides
Pericles
Cleon: A Critical Account
“Cleon, son of Cleaenetus, . . . the most violent man in Athens, and at that time by far the
most powerful with The People, came forward . . . .”
(3.36.6)
Commercial class – son of Cleaenetus – inherited a lucrative tannery
business – reactionary – opponent of Pericles and his democratic
reforms - indicted Pericles of 'maladministration of public finances in
430 B.C. - argued in favour of Mitylenian massacre in 427 B.C. rabble-rouser, warmonger ('hawk') - powerful voice, natural orator –
trebled the pay of jurymen (politicking) – hatred of nobility &
aristocrats – hatred of Sparta – 'lost the peace' in 425 B.C. - exiled
Thucydides for failed military campaign* - sent relief fleet to
Demosthenes at Sphacteria – doubled the Delian League
contribution of Athens' allies – killed at the Battle of Amphipolis,
which paved the way for the Peace of Nicias (421 B.C.)
Can we trust Aristophanes' & Thucydides' account of Cleon?
Post-Periclean Athens
•Cleon: Warmonger & Demagogue?
•Mitylenian Debate:
Cleon
•Mitylenian Debate:
Diodotus
•Mitylenian Resolution
•Battle of Olpae 426 B.C.
•Demosthenes & King Agis
Battle of Pylos & Sphacteria
425 B.C.
•Demosthenes
•Battle of Amphipolis:
Death of the 'War-Hawks'
•The Uneasy Peace: 420 – 415 B.C.
•The Sicilian Expedition: Alcibiades,
Nicias & Demosthenes
•The Oligarchic Coup 411 B.C.
•Spartan-Persian Alliance: Final Defeat
of Athens
Sicilian Expedition
415 – 413 B.C.
The Generals
Alcibiades
‘ambitious’
Demosthenes
‘to the rescue’
Nicias
‘cautious’
Prelude to Expedition
Egesteans’ Request
Athenian Motives & Influences
“They were especially incited by envoys from Egesta, who had come to Athens and
invoked their aid more urgently than ever.”
Egestaeans at war with Selinuntines – who had made an alliance with Syracuse
“Egestaeans reminded the Athenians of their alliance made in the time of Laches”
“..urged as a capital argument that if the Syracusans were allowed to go unpunished for
their depopulation of Leontini, … and to get the whole power of the island into their
hands… danger of their one day coming with a large force… as Dorians, to the aid of
their Dorian brethern, and as colonists, to the aid of the Peloponnesians who had
sent them out and joining these in pulling down the Athenian Empire.”
Athenian Decision
-
Voted first to send envoys to Egesta (determine the existence of the 60 talents
promised by Egesta)
-
Ascertain the extent of the ‘posture of the war’ with the Selinuntines
Prelude to Expedition
Athenian Envoys Investigate
Athenian Envoys Return from Egesta
•
Returned with 60 talents of uncoined silver, for a month’s pay for 60 ships, which the
Egestaeans requested
•
Athenians held an assembly and heard from their envoys and Egestaens a report “as
attractive as it was untrue” voted for to send 60 ships to Sicily under the command of
Alcibiades, Nicias and Lamachus.
•
Objectives of Sicilian Expedition (from Assembly):
1) “Help the Egestaeans against the Selinuntines”
2) “Restore Leontini”
3) “Order all other matters in Sicily as they should deem best for the interests of
Athens”
5 days later a 2nd assembly was held: Nicias & Alcibiades Speeches
Debate in Assembly: Nicias
“Chosen to command against
his will”
Strategic Danger & ill-advised
Ambitions
“I think, notwithstanding, that we have still this
question to examine, whether it be better to send
out the ships at all, and that we ought not to give
so little consideration to a matter of such
moment”
“it is only too probable that if they found our
power divided, as we are hurrying to divide it,
they would attack us vigorously with the
Siceliots”
“..or let ourselves be persuaded by foreigners
into undertaking a war with which we have
nothing to do”
“…of grasping at another empire before we have
secured the one we have already”
“..others on the continents yield us but a doubtful
obedience”
“I affirm then that you leave many enemies
behind you here to go yonder and bring more
back with you”
“the Sicilians, even if conquered, are too far off
and too numerous to be ruled without difficulty”
“a treaty that will continue to exist nominally, as
long as you keep quiet”
“The Hellenes in Sicily would fear us most if we
never went there at all, and next to this, if after
displaying our power we went away again as
soon as possible.”
Nicias: Charity begins at Home
“instead, however, of being puffed up by the misfortune of your
adversaries, you ought to think of breaking their spirit before giving
yourselves up to confidence”
“how to defend ourselves most effectually against the oligarchical
machinations of Lacedaemon”
“we are but now enjoying some respite from a great pestilence and
from war, to the no small benefit of our estates and persons, and
that it is right to employ these at home on our own behalf”
Nicias: Beware the Ambitious
(Alcibiades)
“if there be any man here, overjoyed at being chosen to command, who
urges you to make the expedition, merely for ends of his own”
“….specially if he be still too young to command….”
“…who seeks to be admired for his stud of horses…on account of its
heavy expenses hopes for some profit from his appointment…”
“…to maintain his private splendour at his country’s risk…”
“alarm seizes me…summon any of the older men that may have such a
person sitting next to them… for fear of being thought a coward if he
do not vote for war”
Debate in Assembly:
Alcibiades
“The position he held among the citizens
led him to indulge his tastes beyond what
his real means would bear”
“the mass of the people set him down as a
pretender to the tyranny”
“individually, hi
Athens’ Decides
The Sicilian Expeidition
Alcibiades, Nicias & set sail to
Sicily
Sicily Prepares:
The Arrival Of Gylippus