Greece 3: Breakdown of relations: the democratic alliance of Athens, Argos, Mantinea and Elis

What were the successes of each side of the fifty year truce?

Athens had allies and forts in the Peloponnese - Sparta didnt have anything

What were the failures of each side of the fifty year truce?

Sparta won the battle of Montinea - Mantinea couldn’t remain allied with Athens without Argos so they allied with Sparta.

What was the democratic alliance?

A secret alliance between Athens, Elis, Mantinea and Argos - lasted for 100 years.

What was the battle of Mantinea?

418BC - despite diplomatic arrangements there wasnt a formal renouncement between Athens and Sparta.

It was soon clear that relations had broken down and a resumption of a war was imminent.

What impact does the Battle of Mantinea have on events, in particular for the Argive alliance and the fortunes of Athens and Sparta respectively?

Agis won - restored Spartan influence and confidence, breakdown of the Peace of Nicias, disregarded democracy as a good ruling.

Alcibiades - opportunist: worked with Athens, Sparta and Persia, Athenian general, Spartan occupation: “the cause of Athens could never be utterly lost so long as Alcibiades was alive”

What was the aggression against Melos?

416BC - Melos was a neutral island and Athens launched an attack against them as they refused to become part of the Athenian empire.

Shows Athenian imperialism.

The Melians wanted to remain free and neutral but Athens believed they had the right to conquer other states because they were more powerful.

What does Thucydides say about Athenian Imperialism?

“the strong do what they have the power to do, and the weak accept what they have to accept”

What were the statistics of the Athenian and Melian military?

Athens: 36 ships, 1600 hoplites, 300 archers, 1500 allied hoplites

Melos: 500 men

Why does Thucydides use this quotation about Athenian imperialism?

Athens didnt do what Pericles said; to wait and not conquer and risk the safety of the city.

Shows how far Athens has deviated due to tis imperialism and the impact of demagogues (Cleon and Alcibiades)