Ancient Greece: The Classical Age

After Greece Defeated Persians  Took a part of Persia’s empire along the coast of Asia Minor.  Greece wanted to form an alliance with Sparta to fend off future attacks, but Sparta said no.  Aristeides of Athens organized the Delian League.

Delian League  Each Greek state signed a defence treaty with Athens.  Agreed to pay annual tribute to maintain a common fleet.  Originally voluntary, then became mandatory to join.  Had meetings on island of Delos, hence the name Delian League.

Pericles  Athens enjoyed its greatest period of wealth (30 years) under the leadership of Pericles.  Democracy at this time meant that every citizen could speak and vote on every piece of legislation in the assembly.  All law cases decided by majority vote of a jury of citizens of between 210 and 1501 people.  Pericles himself was elected annually.

Rivalry With Sparta  In 462 BCE Sparta asked Athens for help in defending themselves against a Helot revolt.  When the Athenians arrived to help, the Spartans refused their help and sent them home.  This insulted the Athenians.

During 450’s BCE  Athens tried to build a land empire that threatened the Spartans power base.  Added to the tension between the two states.  Tried to ease the rivalry by signing a peace treaty in 445 BCE. They agreed to stay out of each other’s internal affairs.  Rivalry continued despite the treaty.  Led to all out war.

Spartan & Athenian Territory

Differences  Sparta  Land power  Oligarchy (rule by few)  Not progressive in trade, wealth, or culture.  Sought to expand empire to protect itself and its narrow interests.  Athens  Sea power  Democracy  Progressive, wealthy, trading state with advances in culture (literature, philosophy, etc.)  Expanded empire for power and income it provided.

Peloponnesian War  Began with Corinth, a rich trading city in Greece.  Corinth belonged to Sparta’s Peloponnesian League - an ally that was given protection and security by Sparta.  Athens began to interfere with Corinth’s colonies and was accused of breaking the peace treaty with Sparta.

Peloponnesian War  Longest and most costly war the Greeks ever fought.  Almost every city-state took a side.  In the beginning, Athens seemed the strongest and best prepared for war.  Why?

Athens Prepared  Athens knew they could be invaded by land, so they arranged for food to be imported and for the people to take refuge behind the Long Walls whenever Attica (greater Athens) was attacked.  Long What?

Long Walls  Walls built from a city to its port that provides a secure connection to the sea in times of siege.  Athens had a long wall that connected to the sea port of Piraeus.

Long Walls

The Plague  In 430 BCE (second year of war) the Spartans invaded Attica.  The Athenians sought refuge behind the Long Walls.  The plague hit the cramped, unsanitary conditions and spread.  In two years, a third of the Athenians died, including Pericles.

Peloponnesian War  Lasted for 27 years.  Athens and Sparta won minor victories back and forth.  416 BCE - Athens, under leadership of Alcibiades, conquers Melos.  After that the Athenians tried to conquer Syracuse, a very powerful city on island of Sicily.

Syracuse

 Campaign to conquer Syracuse lasted 2 years.  Required a lot of ships, manpower, and money.  By 408 BCE, Persians began supporting Spartans - provided ships to fight Athens.  Athens became weak as money dwindled for building new ships and losses at sea continued.

Defeat  In 405 BCE the Athenians put one last fleet of ships out for battle.  Didn’t battle for days.  Athenians went to shore for food.  Peloponnesians caught them off guard and burned their ships.

Punishment  Athens was required to tear down its Long Walls.  Athens surrendered all but 12 of its ships.  Athens had to acknowledge Spartan leadership in matters of war and peace.

Aftermath  Athens was ruled by the 30 Tyrants.  A time of terror and bloodshed.  In 8 months, 1500 men died.  Athens began to recover in 403 BCE, but was never again a great power.