CLASSICAL GREEK and Sparta
25 questions
55 points
11 multiple guess
2 matching
1st is greek terms for ex agoge drachma ekklesia ephors
2nd are people-Know ALL 4 athenian democrats, lykurgus, leonidis, archdamis, lysander, miltiades, themisticles, camon, perikles, niceas, cleon, alchibiades, darius, xerxes, mardonias(persian general)
1 definition- people place or thing
Short answers- Ex what were they changes solon brought to democracy. Kleisthenis had 4 things he did.
2 characteristics of athenian democracy.
Results of persian and peloponnesian wars; who won. Know the seven battles, 4 are persian; marathon .pelopolesian battles argenuisa, agospotimi. Last is battle of lukdra Supremecy of greece .
Know the 6 things aswell.
Know difference between Athens and Sparta government wise
Golden age of Athens lecture video- Cimon, what he do why he important(adrachma). Know what demagog was. Perikles. Delian league was a naval defense organazation created by Athens for two reasons; firstly to prevent any future Persian invasions, secodnly to protect Athens silver and grain shipments(sketchy)
Polis- city state
Synoikism- smaller villages will come together to build a Polis
Every city state had a Acropolis, Agora,
phalanx, flat ground
Education
CItizens,
native born
had to be male
land or property owner
at least 18-20 years old
residents-protected by laws
foreigns
women
Underclass
enslaved
owe money to someone cannot pay
Arkhon = “goveneros, serve one year terms in Athens
Boule who wields the most power, committee position
Ekklesia athenian assembly, has collective power and can vote on polices and propose policies
Draco famous Athenian judge who reformed the Greek laws revolving around murder and revenge
These laws were so harsh that his name would become an adjective for harsh punishments(Draconian),
Death was a consequence for violation of many of his laws.
Solon was a reformer but not a radical one
SOLON
Solon brought reforms in order to prevent
future attempts at tyrants overthrowing the
government. These reforms included a one-time
elimination of individual debts and freeing those
enslaved for unpaid debts (Seisakhtheia).
Solon divided the populace into 4 tribes or
classes, with 100 representatives of each tribe
elected as members of the Boule. These tribes
(classes) are divided by wealth, and suggest the
possibility of social mobility (moving between the
classes): (see next note)
Tyranny of Persistratidai
Tyranny of Persistratidai (560-510):
Pisistratus took control of Athens after
Solon left.
Marginalized groups overthrow
government as tyrants, ultimately rule as
despots. The tyranny gave way to
another overthrow of government, this
time by the aristocracy aided by Sparta.
Leads to a power struggle which will be
won by Kleisthenes.
Kleisthenes 570 BC to 508 BC
• Athenians turn to
him to re-
establish order
• Aristocrat &
reformer
• Returned from
exile and sided
w/ common
people.
KLEI
QUIZ HINT
Kleisthenes
created a new constitution with 4 parts
Expansion of Boule to 500 members, Trying to end gerrymandering/factualism
all adult males become assembly members
Talks about ostracism-method for getting rid of potential future tyrants
Equality of laws and freedom of speech
ostracism means you had to leave athens for 10 years, designed to prevent tyranny
QUIZ HINT
What are the two basic principles of Athenian Democracy:
No professional bureaucrats, Nobody can serve on the council more than twice
Each citizen can hold office; remember factors of citizens
Spartans were very religious
Full Spartan citizens were called Spartiates or homoioi
residents were called perioikoi. The “dwellers around”
Helots were slav
infanticide-removing of unwanted baby children
Sparta ended because of a decline in population
Men and women were kept separated-low reproduction rates
The Agoge
warfare
Is an oligarcy
2 kings 5 ephora the georusi and assembly
The kings are generals and have religious and military power; they both believed they were decesended from hurcules
Ephors is where the real power lied, retired soldiers and at least 60 years old
Gerousia is 32 or 38 ppl as the council.
Miltiades general who was put in charge of the Athenian defesnes
idk
jump the persians in a narrow pass
fight the persians at the coach
Battle of Marathon
PERSIAN WARS
Darius I’s son, Xerxes, launches a huge force from
land and sea (estimated at 1 million people) in order
to avenge his father and defeat Greece. Smaller city-
states immediately surrender to Xerxes.
ROAD TO DEMOCRACY
Basileus: during Mycenaean times
these were village chieftains and by
the time in ancient Greece’s apex of
power, they were considered royal.
They became the king/monarchs who
ruled city states. Sometimes a city
had more than one basileus at a time.
Eventually were subordinated by
Greek aristocracy.
Governments leading to democracy
monarchy (rule of one)
aristocracy (rule of few, rule by the best of
the citizens with best intentions for the polis).
Aristocracy=translates into the rule of the
best.
oligarchy (rule of select few who rule for their
own self-interests)Oligarchy=translates into
the rule of the few. Basically, a government
run by the “few” or a handful of people; not
necessarily bad, but the group was always
exclusive.
Greek society evolved to rule by oligarchy
over monarchs.
Governments leading to democracy
tyranny: Rule seized by an individual
usually through overthrow.
democracy (“rule by mob” – democracy
is not always defined as the modern world
defines it, democracy can also include the
“tyranny of the majority.”)
polity (rule of many; could also be known
as a republic form of government)
EVOLUTION OF GREEK
GOVERNMENT
Greek government evolved in the following
way:
kingship>oligarchy>tyranny>democracy
Kingship (monarchy) gives way to oligarchy
(usually by powerful, privileged clans),
oligarchy gives way to tyranny (tyrants
usually come from outside the oligarchy and
overthrow oligarchy through revolution),
tyranny gives way to democracy (a more
inclusive form of government).
Perikles:leader of Athens at the start of the Peloponnesian War
Peloponisian war was inevitable, what truly started it was kleroukhies- military outposts created by Athenians in the territory of their allies
On several occasions, Greek poleis
(city-states) rebel against the Delian
League's control. In return, Athens
creates kleroukhies (or cleruchies).
These are military and economic
outposts of Athens placed in the land of
their allies. The practice (started by
Perikles) generally alienates many of the
Athenian allies. Perikles is the leader of
Athens at the start of the Peloponnesian
War.
Peloponnesian war
27 years long-Incongruent war-athenians have better naval power spartans better land power
Athens should win this war
PELOPONNESIAN WAR
The war takes a long time as they are
incompatible powers: Athens dominates the
war at sea and Sparta the war on land.
Athens has superior wealth at the outset
and believes they can outlast the Spartans.
However, Athenians are also confined to their
city and to the city (which they can reach
behind protected walls). Athens suffers from
a disease epidemic in 429 BC, which
weakens the Athenians.
QUIZ HINT
TURNING POINTS WHY were they bad for Athens
1. Death of Pericles
2. Failed Sicilian Expedition
3. Defection of Alkibiades
4. Persian alliance with Sparta
4. Defeat at Arginusae
5. Defeat at Aegospotomi
Archidamus II:King of Sparta at the beginning of the Peloponnesian league.
Cleon:Leader of Athens after the death of Pericles. Advocated offensive strategy against Sparta. Killed in battle in Thrace.
Nicias:Started Peace of Nicias which was a 50 year peace agreement between Athens and Sparta
Alcibiades:nephew of
Perikles, he is to stand trial for a religious
offense in Athens. To avoid punishment,
he defects to Sparta and tells them how
to beat the Athenians.
CLASSICAL GREECE LECTURE NOTES #5
FORMS OF GOVERNMENT IN GREECE BEFORE DEMOCRACY:
Basileus= King/monarchs who ruled city states. Sometimes a city had more than one
basileus at a time, i.e., Sparta
Basileus: During Mycenaean times these were village chieftains and by the time in
ancient Greece’s apex of power, they were considered royal: monarchy (rule of one).
Eventually they were subordinated by Greek aristocracy.
Aristocracy= (rule of few, rule by the best of the citizens with best intentions for the
polis). Translates into the rule of the best.
Oligarchy= Translates into the rule of the few. Basically, a government run by the “few”
or a handful of people; not necessarily bad, but the group was always exclusive. Greek
society evolved to rule by oligarchy over monarchs.
Greek society evolved to rule by oligarchy over monarchs.
Greek Governments leading to democracy:
tyranny: Rule seized by an individual usually through overthrow.
democracy (“rule by mob” – democracy is not always defined as the modern world
defines it, democracy can also include the “tyranny of the majority.”)
polity (rule of many; could also be known as a republic form of government).
EVOLUTION OF GREEK GOVERNMENT:
Greek government evolved in the following way:
kingship>oligarchy>tyranny>democracy
Kingship (monarchy) gives way to oligarchy (usually by powerful, privileged clans),
oligarchy gives way to tyranny (tyrants usually come from outside the oligarchy and
overthrow oligarchy through revolution), tyranny gives way to democracy (a more
inclusive form of government).
GREEK TYRANNY:
Note that the term "tyrant" or "tyranny" has bad connotations in today's society, but did
not necessarily mean something bad in ancient Greece. Tyrants are self-made monarchs
whose supporters are usually previously politically marginalized peoples. In addition, the
term "democracy" did not always mean good things, in ancient Greece democracy could
also mean "rule by mob."
Examples of tyrants: In the city-state of Argos, the tyrant Pheidon (c. 660); In the city-
state of Corinth, the tyrant Kypselos (657-585); in the city-state of Athens (city-state), the
tyrant Peisistratidai (560-510) and his sons. See notes later in lecture.
As an example of tyrant rule, Kypselos overthrew the ruling oligarchy in Corinth and
gave more rights to people. While Kypselos was loved for this, his son Periandros
replaced Kypselos and banished all dissenters from the polis.
GREEK GOVERNMENT:
Most Greek cities divide authority between multiple officials. See powerpoint for chart
that shows the division of government authority in the two most powerful Classical
Greek poleis (city-states).
GREEK SOCIAL CLASSES: Greek social divisions:
1. Citizens (males that could vote and hold office)
2. Residents (Free persons protected by local laws, but could not vote or hold office,
similar to modern idea of "resident aliens.")
3. Underclass (slaves, often people in debt or prisoners of war. Note that there is not
racial/ethnic component to slavery in ancient Greece).
ATHEN'S GOVERNMENT:
Arkhons = “governors,” serve one year terms.
Council = two different councils, the Boule who wield the most power and the
Areopagos (comprised of former Arkhons, the elite members of society). The Areopagos
eventually evolve in to a role similar to the Supreme Court.
Assembly = All of the citizens eligible to vote (thus excluding women). In Athens, the
assembly has collective power and can vote on policies and propose policies.
DRACO:
During the infancy of the Athenian legal system Draco composed the city's first
written law code with the aim of reducing arbitrary decisions of punishment and blood
feuds between parties. Ultimately, though, the laws aided and legitimized the political
power of the aristocracy and allowed them to consolidate their control of the land and
poor. Famously harsh, the laws were ultimately replaced by Solon in 594 BCE.
SOLON:
A modestly wealthy Athenian trader (630 to 560 BC). Given “free hand” to make reforms
to Draco's code. Did not attempt land reform due to mainly to length of time it takes to
grow olive trees: 8 to 10 years!! Solon brought reforms in order to prevent future
attempts at tyrants overthrowing the government. These reforms included a one-time
elimination of individual debts and freeing those enslaved for unpaid debts
(Seisakhtheia). Solon divided the populace into 4 tribes or classes, with 100
representatives of each tribe elected as members of the Boule. These tribes (classes) are
divided by wealth and suggest the possibility of social mobility (moving between the
classes). Ultimately his reforms did not work, however, he is considered to have laid the
groundwork for the development of Athenian democracy.
Tyranny of Persistratidai: (560-510)
Pisistratus took control of Athens after Solon left. After his death his sons took control of
Athens. Marginalized groups overthrow the tyrannical government of Pisistratus’ sons,
who ultimately ruled as despots. The tyranny gave way to another overthrow of
government, this time by the aristocracy aided by Sparta. Leads to a power struggle
which will be won by Kleisthenes.
KLEISTHENES: 570 BC to 508 BC:
He was an aristocrat & reformer. The Athenians turn to him to re-establish order. He
returned from exile and sided w/ common people. He created new a Constitution with the
following criteria:
1. 10 new tribes representing all classes
2. All adult males became Assembly members
3. Introduced ostracism; removed discredited leaders
4. Equality of laws & freedom of speech.
Kleisthenes expands the Boule to 500 members. The new Boule is comprised of 50
members from each of 10 tribes. Kleisthenes hoped to reduce factionalism, which drove
apart the last several ruling bodies. The new tribes were also divided geographically so
that no faction dominated any one geographic area.
OSTRACISM:
Ostracism = Introduced by Kleisthenes it was a practice employed to get rid of potential
tyrants. Done as a way to prevent one individual from gaining too much power: ie.
Tyrant. During annual elections, citizens got to cast votes via pottery shards (such as
those shown) with names of potential tyrants. If a person got enough votes, they would
be expelled for 10 years. This was a way to remove potentially dangerous politicians.
These pottery shards show the names of famous Athenians who received votes for
ostracism (that does not mean they were actually ostracized). See powerpoint.
ATHENIAN DEMOCRACY:
The basic government form instituted by Kleisthenes held for centuries in Athens. It
contained two important basic principles:
1. No professional bureaucrats!!
Nobody served on council more than twice!
2. Each citizen could hold office!
What did we say a citizen is?
CLASSICAL GREECE:
Polis = Literally “city,” in the Classical Greek context, the polis is a city-state. Polis is
the root for the names many of American cities, such as Minneapolis and Indianapolis.
The polis is the core of the Classical Greece political system. A polis operated as an
independent state, such as Athens, to which a citizen owed allegiance and identity.
Classical Greece is not a unified nation in the modern sense, it is composed of many
smaller independent city-states. Sometimes city-states banded together in federations of
more than one city-state in order to exert greater influence (an example is the Delian
League, discussed later in this lecture).
FORMATION OF POLIS:
Synoikism = Loosely meaning “to dwell together,” synoikism is the process by which
smaller villages come together to form a large city or federation, politically fusing several
poleis together.
STRUCTURE OF THE POLIS:
Polis city-planning: Two important structures are found in most poleis.
Acropolis = inner fortress. Usually contained the treasury and located on a fortified hill.
Agora=The center of public and economic activity. Where people came to trade, attend
religious ceremonies, vote, etc.
HOPLITE:
Hoplites: heavily armored fighters. Hoplites were typically middle-class farmers who
thus had a vested interest in protecting the city-state.
Hoplites became the backbone for the later Greek military. Hoplites fought together in a
formation called a phalanx.
PHALANX:
Phalanx: A large body of closely packed hoplites with long spears extending outward.
The "phalanx" was a closed linear formation method for war. Groups of hoplites stood in
close quarters with overlapping shields, thus forming an armored wall of soldiers. This
was a major military development that required order and discipline in the soldiers. The
downside to fighting in a phalanx was that it was difficult to do on uneven terrain.
ATHENIAN EDUCATION:
Boys ages 7 to 18 were educated in private schools. Girls were not educated,
exemplifying the role of women in Greek society. A woman’s place was in the home or in
entertainment.
SPARTA = Laikadamion
LYKOURGOS:
Lykourgos is credited with setting up the Spartan form of government. This included
Rhetra, the militarized form of Spartan citizenship that cultivated a warrior society.
Rhetra which is the general system/lifestyle of the Spartans, defined by upholding the
codes of their militaristic society. The strict adherence to the Rhetra allowed Sparta to
become powerful city-state who often "bullied" other city-states into submission.
Lykourgos needed to develop a warrior class to contain the helots, who outnumbered the
Spartans 10 to 1. He created the Spartan constitution. Laws were not written down:
discipline will maintain order!
SPARTAN LIFE:
A very militaristic society, male Spartan children were inspected by elders at birth; those
deemed unfit were killed or cast off. At an early age, Spartan boys were taught hunting
and military skills. Agoge = Spartan training system starting at age 7. Food was rationed
so boys were expected to steal but don’t get caught! At age 20, accepted into army or
rejected! Men could marry but still lived in barracks. At age 30, take place in the
assembly, and receive land. Helots supported your family. At age 60 you could retire from
army. Spartans viewed art, trade, and the written word as pursuits unbecoming of
warriors. Sparta was isolated from its neighbors (no trade or wealth, no travel, no arts).
Done in order to maintain stability of system. Very few non-Spartan Greeks were allowed
in Sparta. Iron bars were currency.
SPARTAN WOMEN:
While the militarized society of Sparta created a powerful military, it also had negative
effects for the society at large. Men and women were often kept separated, which made
reproduction rates lower than in other Greek cities. Thus, heavy losses in a Spartan battle
severely weakened Sparta as a whole. Spartan women enjoyed more freedom than most
other ancient Greek women, but freedom is a relative to their role as encouraging the
Spartan military system. Women were encouraged to remain physically fit on the belief
that fit women bore fit children (who would become better warriors). Spartan women
also helped to indoctrinate their children and husbands in the Spartan military system.
Had the right to inherit property.
SPARTAN GOV’T:
Sparta is essentially an oligarchy:
Kings = Ruled by two kings with ceremonial power. Kingships are hereditary. Kings are
military and religious leaders in Sparta.
Ephors = More powerful than kings, they are the administrators of the city.
Gerousia = An advisory council of 28 elders.
Assembly = All of the citizens eligible to vote (thus excluding women). In Sparta, the
assembly can vote on policies but cannot propose policies.
SPARTAN SOCIETY:
Full Spartan citizens were called Spartiates or homoioi.
Residents were called perioikoi = the “dwellers around”
Slaves = helots: Similar to serfs, slave-like but not quite slaves. Helots are legally tied to
a piece of land they work for someone else. They must work that particular piece of land
regardless of who owns the land.
PERSIAN WARS:
As we concluded Unit 1, we talked about the emerging dominance of the Persians in the
Near East. The Persians conquered Lydia and other cities of Asia Minor (the area on this
map with cities including Pergamon, Troy, and Sardeis) including Greek city-states. In
499 BC, some of those Greek cities rebelled led by the city of Miletus. Called the Ionian
Revolt, it took Persia (and their leader Darius I) six years to put it down. A small number
of Greek city-states in what consider to be the country of Greece today offered support to
the rebellion, incurring the wrath of the Persians.
IONIAN REVOLT AND MARATHON:
The leaders of the Ionian revolt went to Greece for assistance, first asking Sparta who
initially decline to intervene. Athens and Eretria, however, agree to help, and the rebels
sack the Persian city of Sardeis. However, the rebellion suppressed, & Miletus burned. In
return, Darius I of Persia decides to punish Greece for aiding the rebels. After the first
Persian fleet bound for Greece is lost at sea in 492 BC (First Persian Invasion), a
second expedition (Second Persian Invasion) in 490 BC destroys Eretria, attacks
Marathon, and plans an attack on Athens. The Athenians again ask Sparta to aid them,
and Sparta again declines, because of a religious festival. The battle of Marathon is an
estimated 60,000 Persians vs. 10,000 Greeks led by general Miltiades. Greeks used the
“Phalanx” a battle formation- 8 lines deep and 6,000 Persians killed as the Persian army
is pushed into the sea. Only 200 Greeks are killed. Outnumbered Athenians win the battle
without Spartan help, the Athenians claim their superiority within Greece. Spartans arrive
too late. A runner possibly, Phidippides supposedly runs 26 miles to Athens with news of
victory.
PERSIAN WARS: Third Persian Invasion (480-479 BC): THERMOPYLAI
Darius I’s son, Xerxes, launches a huge force from land and sea (estimated at 1 million
people) in order to avenge his father and defeat Greece. Persian army crosses the
Hellespont by creating a “pontoon bridge”. Boats lined up so they can walk across but a
storm destroys it. Persians build it again. It takes 1 week to walk across. Smaller city-
states immediately surrender to Xerxes. A small Greek army (most Greek city-states
surrendered to Xerxes) gathers to fight Xerxes at Thermopylai, this time with the
Spartans helping and led by the Spartan Leonidas I. The Greek army consists of 300
Spartans and 1,000 other Greeks, and they initially hold off Xerxes and the Persians. A
traitor eventually shows the Persians a way around the Greek army, and the Persians win
the battle.
PERSIAN WARS: SALAMIS AND PLATAIAI
After the Persians burn Athens, the refugees gather at Salamis. The Persians follow to
attack them, but the Greek navy (led by Themistokles) is hidden nearby and destroys
most of the Persian fleet. 1,200 Persian ships vs. 300 Greeks ships (led by Themistocles).
Thermistocles uses fleet to lure Persian navy to the Strait of Salamis then used tides to
attack Persians so they ran into each other.
Xerxes must retreat to Persia for the time being, but leaves a large army behind. The
remaining Persians are defeated by the Greeks (Sparta, Athens, Corinth, a few other city-
states) at Plataiai. Greeks led by Spartan general Pausanias vs. Xerxes son-in-law
Mardonius. Mardonius is killed early in the battle and Persians are defeated.
RESULTS OF THE PERSIAN WARS:
1. Athens becomes most powerful city-state.
2. Organized Delian League, an alliance with other city-states.
3. Dominated alliance, which slowly turned into Athenian Empire
Athens in the Age of Pericles
GOLDEN AGE OF ATHENS AFTER THE PERSIAN WAR:
Delian League = The Greek naval alliance formed in 478 BC. The alliance is led by
Athens, but the treasury is initially in Delos (hence the name). Athens is behind the
founding of the Delian League. “Delian” because Island of Delos holds the treasury,
because it is out of reach of other city-states who want to steal from it. The Delian
League defeats the next Persian naval invasion at the Eurymedon in 469 or 466 BC.
Battle is a land and sea battle in Asia Minor. The treasury of the Delian League is moved
to Athens in 450 BC, giving Athens symbolic control of the Greek empire. Trade expands
under Cimon with the introduction of the drachma, a silver coin currency. Cimon uses
Athenian navy to intimidate and control league members. Cimon lost power when he
tried to make friends with Sparta. Exiled for 10 years after offering assistance to Sparta.
City-states pay money/tribute to the Delian League even after the war ends, but the
Athenians spend the money on themselves. Athenians use money from the Delian League
tributes to build up their own city in splendor.
Issues in Sparta: Sparta saw Athens aggressiveness as a threat. They collect city-states
around Sparta and form the Peloponnesian League.
Spartan problems:
Sparta is in decline during this time because:
1. Earthquake destroys the city and leads to helot revolt.
2. Prominent generals accused of aiding Persians.
Themistokles = Leader of the Delian League early on and the Greek's naval leader.
Eventually he is ostracized and ends up in Persia! Triremes are Greek naval ships, very
fast and maneuverable. They use wind and human power to operate (three humans
operate each oar). Their main weapon is a battering ram in the front, used to sink other
ships. Citizens who serve on the ships of the Delian League gain political clout as
politicians pander to them. Demagogues (those who "lead the mob") create new ways for
the participation of less-elite citizens in government (becoming more democratic).
AGE OF PERIKLES 460 BC-429 BC:
On several occasions, Greek poleis (city-states) rebel against the Delian League's control.
In return, Athens creates kleroukhies (or cleruchies). These are military and economic
outposts of Athens placed in the land of their allies. The practice (started by Perikles)
generally alienates many of the Athenian allies. Perikles is the leader of Athens at the
start of the Peloponnesian War and leads Athens through what is considered the “Golden
Age” of Athens. Under Perikles Athenian economy thrived and becomes more
democratic. Direct democracy is introduced and all citizens take part in government. Jury
members received a stipend. Ostracism is continued.
The funeral Oration is a famous speech given by Perikles and recorded by Thucydides.
The speech is one of the earliest and greatest expressions of democratic ideals. Economic
and cultural life: Rebuild acropolis that was destroyed by the Persians. The Long Walls
are built to Pireaus. With help of Aspasia, his wife, Perikles made Athens the cultural
center of Greece, all with money borrowed/stolen from the Delian League!
PELOPONNESIAN WARS (431-404 BC)
BACKGROUND:
Sparta creates the Spartan league consisting of Corinth and city-states on the
Peloponneseus. This league encourages oligarchy. It also rivals the Delian League made
up of Athens, Aegean city-states, & Ionia .
Athens offers help with a helot rebellion but Sparta does not want help and sends them
home. Athens is offended!
1 city-state tried to change from Delian to Spartan League. Athens creates an embargo of
Megara, an ally of Corinth. Sparta supports Corinth and called for war against Delian
League.
WAR BEGINS:
Greek against Greek war. Athens is at a geographical disadvantage due to location near
the sea. Sparta was inland (no attack from sea). The war takes a long time as they are
incompatible powers: Athens dominates the war at sea and Sparta the war on land. Athens
has superior wealth at the outset and believes they can outlast the Spartans. However,
Athenians are also confined to their city and to the city (which they can reach behind
protected walls).
431 & 430 BC: Spartan king Archidamus II invades Attica and destroys large areas
around Athens. Athenians retreat behind the Long Walls. Pericles is deposed, but will
eventually return to power.
STRATEGIES: Sparta invades Attica and attacks the countryside. Limits the food
production of the Athenians. Athenians demand allies send in food by way of their
superior navy. Athens is connected to the coastal city of Pireaus by the Long Walls. This
is how they get their food. Spartan invade every spring and return to Sparta in the winter.
Athens strategy is: Pericles had people in the hinterlands move in to the city to live.
Athens citizens were drawn behind its walls. Strategy proved costly early on and got
worse in 429 BC when a plague broke out and killed 1/3 population and eventually,
Pericles. Pericles was the strategic autocratic for 29 consecutive years. Before his death
Pericles made his famous funeral oration speech.
Pericles death leads to a split in leadership:
A. Cleon: wants to continue with the war.
B. Nicias: wants to sue for peace.
Athenian Assembly favors Cleon until his death in 422 BC.
WAR CONTINUES:
425 BC: Sparta offers peace to Athens after suffering several major losses. Athens rejects
peace overtures until 421 BC when they lose 2 important generals in battle. In 421 BC
Peace of Nicias was established. Named after the main Athenian negotiator. Peace was
supposed to last for 50 years but only lasted for 3 years! Peace treaty is flawed. Sparta
makes promises it can’t keep and allies of Athens refuse to agree to the treaty.
418 BC: The peace is broken. Athens aligns itself with the city-states of Argos, Mantinea,
and Elis in the Peloponneseus. Sparta forces Athens to make a decision: reject its
alliances or face open warfare in the south. Athens chooses warfare and the war
unofficially begins with the Spartan victory at Mantinea in 418 BC.
415 BC: The nephew of Pericles, Alcibiades, convinces the Athenians to undertake an
invasion of Syracuse, on the island of Sicily. The invasion was successful at first but soon
turned into a disaster. The Athenian main commander Lamachus was killed, Alcibiades
was recalled to Athens to stand trial, and Nicias fell ill. The Spartan adviser Glyippus
arrived in the winter of 415/414 BC and turned the tide of the campaign. The Athenians
sent reinforcements under Demosthenes in 413 BC but he does not bring enough horses
because the Spartans and Athenians have officially declared war on each other. Athenian
expedition is completely wiped out. Not one Athenian soldier from the expedition returns
home!!
END OF WAR:
War turns on Athens after disaster at Syracuse. Why?
Alcibiades is exiled and moves to Sparta and gives them the advice to build a permanent
fort in Attica. This forces the Athenians to live behind the Long Walls year round and cuts
them off from their silver supply with which they buy food. Alcibiades will offer to
negotiate a treaty with Persia if Athens allows him to return and form his own
government. The Athenians agree and democracy is suspended in 411 BC. The treaty
with Persia never happens!
The Spartans concluded a treaty with the Persians in 412 BC. The Persians supplied
money for the Spartans to buy ships. This will not take place until 408 BC.
Sparta found a new and capable commander named Lysander who convinced the
Persians to fulfill their promise to buy ships for the Spartans.
406 BC. The major turning point: After a victory at the naval battle of Argunisae, the
Athenian admirals were unable to pick up survivors in the sea due to a freak storm. This
violated a long standing Athenian tradition. The Athenian admirals were condemned and
executed, removing the last of Athens experienced leaders.
405 BC.: Spartan admiral, Lysander, wins the battle of Aegospotomi. The Athenian fleet
is destroyed. Sparta now attacks Athens with 3 armies. Athens surrenders, and is forced
to disband the Delian League, destroy the protective walls from their city leading to the
sea, and burn their remaining ships are burned. Sparta forces an oligarchy called the 30
Tyrants to rule Athens. Sparta seizes power (or hegemony) in Greece. Athens will
recover after a civil war. Ironically they are supported by Persia!! The Long Walls are
rebuilt in 395 BC., democracy was restored.
TURNING POINTS: REVIEW
1. Death of Pericles
2. Failed Sicilian Expedition
3. Defection of Alkibiades
4. Persian alliance with Sparta
5. Defeat at Arginusae
6. Defeat at Aegospotomi
POST PELOPONNESIAN WAR:
To defeat Athens, Sparta offered Persia several cities in exchange for gold. Sparta does
not follow through on the deal, and Persia in turn supports Sparta’s enemies financially.
The Spartans finally give the requested cities to Persia, and Persian kings now dictate the
affairs of Greece through diplomacy.
RESULTS:
1. Greece becomes a multi-polar system.
2. Democracy survives in Athens!!
3. Sparta declines because its social structure is not fit for the outside world.
4. Real winner is PERSIA!! Gain many Greek cities in the east.
GREECE AFTER PELOPONNESIAN WAR
SPARTAN DECLINE:
Sparta controls Greece from 404 to 372. Greek cities generally do not support the Spartan
power. The city of Thebes breaks free from Spartan rule and frees other Greek cities,
ending Sparta’s run of power.
BATTLE OF LUEKTRA:
Fought in 371 BC Thebes under the general Epameinondas, defeat the Spartans in battle.
The Spartan army is only able to field 700 full Spartan citizens. The mystique of the
Spartan warrior was broken. The Thebans use their famous Sacred Band. After this battle
many of Sparta’s allies abandon her. Thebes seizes hegemonic control of Greece until the
arrival of Macedonians in 338.