The Peloponnesian War - Athens vs Sparta - Complete - Ancient History - See U in History

Summary

The video script narrates the intense rivalry between Athens and Sparta during Greece's golden era. It details the strategic moves, military campaigns, and pivotal battles of the Peloponnesian War, such as the economic embargo against Megara, the plague in Athens, and the decisive Battle of Pylos. The script also covers key figures like Pericles and Cleon, and the eventual decline of Athenian power after the Sicilian Expedition, leading to Sparta's dominance in Greece.

Takeaways

• 🏰 Athens reached its golden era with unmatched wealth and splendor, leveraging alliances through the Delian League to expand its empire.
• ⚔️ Sparta, with its formidable warriors, was the primary rival to Athenian dominance, leading to a tense peace agreement in 433 BC that was to last 30 years.
• 🛳️ Corinth, feeling threatened by Athens' growing influence, initiated a series of conflicts which eventually drew Athens into direct military confrontations.
• 🚢 The Athenian Navy was a significant force, leading to the first economic embargo in history against Megara, showcasing the power of the Delian League.
• 🏹 Sparta and its allies declared war on Athens, leading to a protracted conflict where both sides prepared extensively for the inevitable clash.
• 🏰 Pericles' strategic foresight led to the construction of fortifications that protected Athens and allowed it to withstand Spartan sieges.
• 🏹 The Spartans' traditional military strength was countered by Athenian naval prowess, leading to a stalemate where neither side could achieve a decisive victory.
• 😷 The plague of 430 BC devastated Athens, killing a third of its population and its leader Pericles, significantly weakening the city-state.
• 🏺 The Battle of Pylos saw a rare Spartan defeat and the capture of 292 Spartan soldiers, a major shock to Sparta's invincibility.
• 🛡️ The Peace of Nicias was a temporary truce that lasted six years, but underlying tensions and the refusal of Thebes and Corinth to participate ensured it was short-lived.
• ⚔️ The Sicilian Expedition was a catastrophic failure for Athens, resulting in the loss of its navy and the execution of its generals, marking a turning point in the war.

Q & A

What was the significance of the Delian League for Athens during its golden era?

The Delian League was significant for Athens as it provided the necessary alliances with other Greek cities, which allowed Athens to expand its emerging empire and maintain its wealth and splendor.

Who were the Spartans and why were they considered an outstanding opponent to Athens?

The Spartans were the inhabitants of Sparta, known for their military prowess and having the most feared warriors of the ancient world. They were considered an outstanding opponent to Athens because they controlled the Peloponnesian League and did not want to concede control of Greece to the Athenians.

What event led to the tensions between Corinth and Athens, and how did it affect the relations between these cities?

The event that led to tensions was Corinth's feeling threatened by Athens' growing influence on territories and trade routes, especially after the siege of the Corinthian colony, Corcyra, by Epidamnus. This led to Corinth launching a campaign in favor of war against Athens.

How did the economic embargo imposed by Athens on Megara impact Megara's economy?

The economic embargo imposed by Athens on Megara was devastating, as Megarian merchants were denied access to ports of the Delian League and the Agora in Athens, leading to a significant downturn in Megara's economy.

What was Pericles' strategy during the Spartan invasion of Attica, and how effective was it?

Pericles' strategy was to bring the rural population within the city's fortifications and rely on the city's navy to supply Athens with necessities. This strategy was effective as it allowed Athens to withstand the siege and continue functioning normally.

What was the impact of the plague in Athens during the Peloponnesian War?

The plague in Athens had a devastating impact, killing a third of the city's population, including the leader Pericles, which led to a significant weakening of Athens' leadership and military strength.

How did the Battle of Pylos change the dynamics of the Peloponnesian War?

The Battle of Pylos resulted in a significant defeat for the Spartan Navy and the capture of 440 Spartan soldiers, which was a shocking event that had never occurred before, leading to a peace proposal from Sparta to Athens.

What was the outcome of the Sicilian Expedition for Athens, and what were its consequences?

The Sicilian Expedition was a catastrophic failure for Athens, resulting in the loss of most of its army and navy, the execution of its generals, and a severe blow to its power and prestige, which led to the defection of several members from the Delian League.

How did the financial and naval support from Persia influence the outcome of the Peloponnesian War?

The financial and naval support from Persia significantly bolstered the Spartan Navy, allowing them to eventually destroy the Athenian Navy. This led to the siege of Athens and its eventual surrender, marking the end of the Peloponnesian War.

What were the terms of Athens' surrender after the Peloponnesian War, and how did they affect the city?

The terms of surrender included the destruction of Athens' fortifications, a drastic reduction of its navy, payment of war compensation, dissolution of the Delian League, and replacement of the democratic government with an oligarchic one, effectively ending Athens' dominance in Greece.