Classical Studies 1000 Lecture 11: The Peloponnesian Wars

• School: Western University
• Department: Classical Studies
• Course: Classical Studies 1000
• Professor: Kelly Olson

Document Summary

Commanded both troops and ships in the war. Failed to prevent athenian ally to falling into enemy hands and was exiled in 424 bce. He did not have experience of the events firsthand. Aims at telling an accurate retelling of the events. He is athenian and presents the war as an ideological struggle: democratic athens vs oligarchic sparta. Persian wars: rare period of greek co-operation. Plan on invading persia for compensation : everyone most contribute money. Refused to let poleis leave the delian league: keeps them in by force. Delian league treasury was moved to athens 454 bce. Sparta was a part of: the peloponnesian league. 460 bce onwards: intense athenian military activity. Coycra and athens are on the winning side: corinth urges sparta to declare war. The contestants: i. athens and the delian league. Resourcesof the empire; enormous fund of silver; 13,000 hoplites (with 16,000 in reserve); 300 triremes. Attikia lay open to invasion but its long walls.