Critically Examine the Origins and Consequences of the Peloponnesian War 431-404 B.C Account for the Athenian Defeat
Critically examine the origins and consequences of The Peloponnesian War 431-404 B.C Account for the Athenian Defeat
The main Peloponnesian War or second Peloponnesian war from 431- 404 B.C was fought between the growing power Athens and the dominating power Sparta. Gilpin notes the importance of this war as it parallels many others in history and characterises realist theory in present day international politics. The following essay will examine the origins and consequences of this war and account for the Athenian defeat.
The ancient historian Thucydides is the main source of knowledge of this period and provides a comprehensive account of the Peloponnesian war. He held a two sided commitment as a relative of the pro- Spartian statesman Cimon and a warm admirer of the anti-Spartan Pericles he therefore held a degree of political impartiality[1]. However Thucydides died before completion of his history. There are also general problems in the nature of historical sources as it is impossible for the historian to note all causes and effects because history presupposes that they have lived long enough or late enough to be aware of those effects. Thucydides instead focused on the symptoms.
In the aftermath of the Persian Wars, Athens reigned supreme with its fleet and formation of the Delian League, made up of colonies from across the Aegean Sea in Asia Minor that it dominated. Athens appeared to have become an imperial force. The magnificent fleet that had served her so well at Salamis projected her trade throughout the Mediterranean as she turned outward. As a result of this growing strength of Athens and the resistance to its growing empire war broke out in 461 B.C. By 455 B.C this first Peloponnesian war ended with a treaty promising peace for thirty years. However this peace was ended by the outbreak of the second, or major Peloponnesian War.
Sparta a land orientated more conservative state took a different approach and turned inward after its
The main Peloponnesian War or second Peloponnesian war from 431- 404 B.C was fought between the growing power Athens and the dominating power Sparta. Gilpin notes the importance of this war as it parallels many others in history and characterises realist theory in present day international politics. The following essay will examine the origins and consequences of this war and account for the Athenian defeat.
The ancient historian Thucydides is the main source of knowledge of this period and provides a comprehensive account of the Peloponnesian war. He held a two sided commitment as a relative of the pro- Spartian statesman Cimon and a warm admirer of the anti-Spartan Pericles he therefore held a degree of political impartiality[1]. However Thucydides died before completion of his history. There are also general problems in the nature of historical sources as it is impossible for the historian to note all causes and effects because history presupposes that they have lived long enough or late enough to be aware of those effects. Thucydides instead focused on the symptoms.
In the aftermath of the Persian Wars, Athens reigned supreme with its fleet and formation of the Delian League, made up of colonies from across the Aegean Sea in Asia Minor that it dominated. Athens appeared to have become an imperial force. The magnificent fleet that had served her so well at Salamis projected her trade throughout the Mediterranean as she turned outward. As a result of this growing strength of Athens and the resistance to its growing empire war broke out in 461 B.C. By 455 B.C this first Peloponnesian war ended with a treaty promising peace for thirty years. However this peace was ended by the outbreak of the second, or major Peloponnesian War.
Sparta a land orientated more conservative state took a different approach and turned inward after its
Bibliography: • Holmes, R (2001) The Oxford Companion to Military History. Oxford: Oxford University Press • Kagan, D (1969) The Outbreak of the Peloponnesian War • Keegan, J (1993) A History of Warfare. London: Pimlico • Morkot, R (1996) The Penguin Historical Atlas of Ancient Greece • Nye, J.S JR (2003) Understanding International Conflicts. 4th edition. London Pearson • Sidebottom, H (2004) Ancient Warfare: A Very Short Introduction • Thucydides (1972) History of the Peloponnesian War. London: Penguin • Warry, J (1980) Warfare in the Classical World ----------------------- [1] Warry, J (1980) Pg [2] Warry, J (1980) Pg. 41 [3] Thucydides (1972) Pg [4] Thucydides (1972) Pg. 86 [5] Thucydides (1972) Pg [6] Nye, J. S JR (2003) pg. 18 [7] Thucydides (1972) Pg [8] Nye, J. S JR (2003) pg. 19 [9] Nye, J [10] Sidebottom, H (2004) Pg. 54 [11] Warry, J (1980) Pg [12] Holmes, R (2001) Pg. 701 [13]Holmes, R (2001) Pg [14] Morkot, R (1996) Pg. 96 [15] Keegan, J (1993) Pg