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Why Did Athens Support The Peloponnesian War?

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Why Did Athens Support The Peloponnesian War?
The Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE) was a lengthy and destructive battle between Athens and Sparta, along with their respective allies. The assertion that Athens could not effectively handle the Peloponnesian War is accurate for several reasons. There are multiple arguments to support this claim. With considerable financial resources and a strong naval force, Athens went into the war prepared. But a string of tactical and strategic missteps undermined their position. The Sicilian Expedition (415–413 BCE), in which Athens sent a sizable navy to subjugate Sicily, was one terrible error. With much of its army and navy lost, the campaign resulted in a disastrous defeat that drastically reduced Athens' resources and morale. This mistake exposed …show more content…
This instability in the political system became more evident when the democratic government was overthrown in 411 BCE and replaced by the oligarchic Council of Four Hundred. The ongoing political unrest made it more difficult for Athens to wage war successfully, even when democracy was momentarily restored (Boundless World History, 2022). In addition, Athens’ strategy of depending on the superiority of its naval forces and the fortifications of the Long Walls, connecting Athens to its port at Piraeus was insufficient. On the other hand, Sparta, under the leadership of Lysander, built a capable fleet with the financial support of Persia. This challenged the naval dominance of Athens. During the battle of Aegospotami in 405 BCE, the Athenian fleet was destroyed and they were cut off their food supply. This led to their eventual surrender (Cartwright, 2018). Is it correct to say that democracy in Athens was overthrown after the war? Please explain your answer and justify your answer with relevant examples. Though temporary and chaotic, it is correct to say that democracy in Athens was overthrown after the

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