Conflict Throughout History: The Peloponnesian War

One of the most important enduring issues that can be seen across history is conflict. This issue is defined as the disagreement of different parties, often with military interventions over a specific topic. Conflicts around the world have shaped cultures and political geography, and have made the countries we know today. Epics written about legendary battles are still read by the masses today. Conflict is one of the most well known and significant enduring issues, especially from the beginning of history to 1750.
The Peloponnesian war was one of the first main examples of conflict in history. This war was documented for posterity by a Greek writer named Thucydides (Encyclopædia Britannica 2017). This was started in Ancient Greece between
The Crusades were a series of wars fought over the control of Jerusalem, the holy land. Unlike the Peloponnesian war, these wars were rooted in religious beliefs. Fought from 1096 to 1291, this series of wars was fought between the Muslim empire and the Christians (History.com staff 2010). Byzantium, the remains of the Eastern Roman Empire, was invaded by Seljuk Turks. The emperor, Alexius, asked the Catholic Pope Urban II for help defending his land. Byzantium, unlike feudal europe during this time was eastern orthodox, which caused divisions between the two former halves of the Roman Empire. But, Pope Urban II answered Emperor Alexius’s cry for help, and started the Crusades. The crusades were separated into many different subwars due to different time periods or motivations. The first crusade was led by Raymond of Saint- Gilles, Godfrey of Bouillon, Hugh of Vermandois and Bohemond of Taranto. A smaller group led by Count Emicho also journeyed to the Holy Land. But, Count Emicho’s group slaughtered Jews along the way, especially in the Rhineland. After arriving in Constantinople and meeting with the emperor, the crusaders attacked the city of Nicea in May 1097 (History.com staff 2010). Two years and many victories later, the Crusaders finally overthrew Jerusalem. Upon their entrance, they slaughtered men, women and children, leaving almost no
The Seljuk Turks soon began their own holy war against the Christians. King Louis VII (France) and King Conrad III (Germany) officially began 2nd crusade in 1147 by attacking Damascus with 50,000 men (History.com staff 2010). But, this attempt is unsuccessful, and they return back to western Europe once more. The third crusade, which is considered the last crusade with the purpose of seizing the holy war is started after Cairo is taken. Kings from many european countries journey to fight for Jerusalem, most notably King Richard “The Lionhearted”. He soon signed a peace treaty with the Muslim leader, one which gave the Christians a kingdom near Jerusalem, but not the city itself. The Crusades were different from the Peloponnesian war due to the motivation used, and the time period this was fought over. The Crusades were fought primarily for religious reasons and fought over 200