Peloponnesian War Causes

Overview

• The Peloponnesian War was a major conflict fought between Athens and Sparta, along with their respective allies, from 431 to 404 BCE.
• The war profoundly reshaped the political landscape of ancient Greece, leading to the decline of Athenian power and the rise of Sparta.
• The war's causes were complex, rooted in long-standing tensions between Athenian democracy and Spartan oligarchy, competition for control of the Aegean Sea, and the growing power of Athens.

Causes of the War

• Athenian Hegemony: Athens' growing naval and economic power, particularly its dominance of the Delian League, fuelled resentment and fear among other Greek city-states.
• Spartan Fear: Sparta, a land-based power, viewed Athens' rising maritime dominance as a threat to its regional influence and security.
• Corinth's Grievances: Corinth, a major trade center, resented Athens' commercial policies and sought Sparta's support to counter Athenian influence.
• The Epidamnus Dispute: A dispute over the colony Epidamnus on the Adriatic Coast, exacerbated by Athenian interference, served as a catalyst for the war.

Phases of the War

• Archidamian War (431-421 BCE): Characterized by Spartan land offensives against Attica, Athenian naval strength, and both sides employing attrition tactics. Athens suffered from plagues which weakened them along with continuous ongoing tensions.
• Peace of Nicias (421-413 BCE): A temporary truce, failing to resolve the underlying causes of conflict, ultimately leading to renewed fighting.
• Sicilian Expedition (415-413 BCE): A failed Athenian attempt to conquer Syracuse in Sicily, resulting in a significant Athenian defeat and immense loss of life and ships. This was a critical turning point in the war.
• Decelean War (413-404 BCE): Sparta, backed by Persian funds, gained crucial allies. During this phase, Sparta focused on disrupting Athenian trade routes and benefitted from the continued support of Corinth and other allied city-states.

Key Figures and Events

• Pericles: Athenian statesman who guided Athenian policy during the initial stages of the war. His death by plague was a severe setback for Athens.
• Cleon: Athenian general advocating for a more aggressive war strategy, contributing to the escalation of conflict.
• Alcibiades: Athenian general initially supporting the Sicilian expedition, later switching sides to Sparta and significantly assisting their victories.
• Lysander: Spartan general achieving a decisive victory at Aegospotami, ending Athenian naval power.

Outcomes and Impact

• Athenian Defeat: Sparta's decisive victory at Aegospotami resulted in Athenian surrender and the destruction of the Athenian navy.
• Spartan Hegemony: Sparta briefly attained dominance over Greece.
• Decline of Athenian Power: Athens lost its political and economic influence, leading to instability and decline in the Greek world.
• Social and Economic Consequences: The war caused widespread destruction, financial ruin, and political upheaval throughout Greece, influencing the lives of its citizens dramatically.
• Rise of Macedonia: The weakened city-states of Greece were ultimately conquered by Philip II of Macedon, ushering in a new era in Greek history.

Key Concepts

• Delian League: A military alliance initially formed for protection against Persia, but later transformed into an Athenian empire.
• Peloponnesian League: A rival alliance led by Sparta, established to counter Athenian dominance.
• Strategia: The art of warfare, encompassing the roles and power of general officers in the Athenian and Spartan militaries.
• Attrition: Both sides in the conflict implemented attrition strategies, seeking to weaken the enemy through sustained conflict and exhaustion rather than decisive battles.
• Alliance Warfare: The war's outcome was significantly impacted by shifting alliances and support from opposing forces.