1. 431 BC- 404 BC
Peloponnesian War

2. Causes
Many Greek cities resented Athens’ domination of the Delian League
Some revolted against Athens
Sparta and Athens were long time rivals
Sparta led the Peloponnesian League to oppose the Delian League

3. Athens strategy Naval power Surround Sparta by sea
Prevent food and supplies from reaching Peloponnesian League

4. Sparta Strategy Sparta had a strong army
Surround Athens and prevent it from raising food around the city
Did not have a navy until the end of the War

6. Stalemate
For much of the war, neither side could gain the upper hand over the other
With a few short period of peace in between, it lasted 30 years

7. Plague Athens was severely weakened when a plague broke out
It killed almost 1/3 of the population including Pericles, Athens’ able leader

8. Syracuse Expedition
The Athenians made a huge mistake in 416 BC, they invaded Sicily to conquer Sparta’s ally, Syracuse.
They hoped to destroy the Spartan’s food supply
They were surrounded and annihilated

9. The war ends
Syracuse weakened the Athenians, but they held out for over 10 more years
The Spartans finally conquered Athens in 404
Athens had to give up its navy and empire
Athens had to follow Spartan foreign policy

10. Aftermath Athens was the strongest, now Sparta
Much of Greece lie in ruin
Greece was severely weakened economically and militarily
Greek culture slowed

11. Thucydides
Father of scientific history because of standards for evidence collecting
History of the Peloponnesian War