03- Greece Period study- PEACE AND CONFLICT (causes for the GPW) 446-431

Terms of the Thirty Year Peace

• Neither side could make an armed attack on the other

• each side could keep the allies it possessed

• If an ally revolted and joined another alliance, the treaty was broken

Revolt of Samos 440

Samos revolted from Athens and lost after a 9 month siege- represents he allies are fed up and challenging Athenian authority.

What was the Peloponnesian response to the Revolt of Samos

The revolt angered Sparta but they were stopped from taking action by Corinth, who said Athens could do as they wanted under the 30 year truce

1) Corcyra (Thucydides aitiai)

War between Corinth (PL) and Corcyra (neutral). Corcyra joins DL but Corinth doesn’t want Athens to have their large fleet. The treaty is broken when Athens and Corinth fight.

2) Potidaea (Thucydides aitiai)

(ex colony of Corinth, now DL member) Athens raises the tribute and treats them harshly, Corinth is mad their citizens are being treated harshly. Athens win the battle but Corinth and Potideae make an alliance

Megara (Thucydides aitiai)

Megara joins DL then leaves, Athens cant bring them back in fear of a land war. Instead, the implement the Megarian decree so Megara can’t trade in Athens or their allies ports. This hadna major economic impact on Megara.

Aegina (Thucydides Aitiai)

Under treaty, Aegina was supposed to be independent- Athens did not honour this.

What does Aristphanes say about the Megarian decree

he jokes that the Megaraian decree was based on the kidnapping of prostitutes belonging to Aspasia. This shows the public was questioning Pericles and disliked Aspasia.

Corinth speech (debate at Sparta)432

blame Athens for the aitiai

blame Sparta for not calling a meeting until the damage was done, neglecting allies, allowing Athens to build wall. “Your inactivity has done harm enough”

Archidamus’ speech (debate at Sparta)432

Sparta is unprepared for war- Athens is better at sea, more wealthy, allies who pay tribute. He is not slow and cautious but wise and sensible

Sparta will bear most of the responsibility so they should be careful before they proceed

Sthenelaidas’ speech (debate at Sparta)432

Cant allow Athens to grow stronger

Cant betray allies

Treaty has already been broken

Athens’ speech (debate at Sparta) 432

Reminds them of Athens’ actions during the Persian wars

Allies came to Athens and begged her to lead them

“the weak should be subject to the strong”

What was the result of the Debate at Sparta

Sparta decided Athens had broken the treaty and sent the Spartan ultimatum

What were the conditions of the Spartan Ultimatum

Revoke Megarian Decree

Stop siege at Potideae

Give Aegina her independence

What was Athens’ response to the Spartan Ultimatum

Pericles said Sparta was using the Megarian decree as an excuse to go to war- if they give in now they will ask for more

Allied Congress

They must prevent Athens from becoming more powerful

Corinth calls Athens a “Dictator city”

PL are superior in number

losing could mean slavery