The Ascendancy of Athens and the Prelude to the Peloponnesian War
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The ascension of Athens post-Greco-Persian Wars and the formation of the Delian League set the stage for the Peloponnesian War. Athens' growing power, exemplified by the Long Walls and naval expansion, alongside the imposition of policies on allies, fueled tensions with Sparta. The fragile Thirty Years' Peace, marred by conflicts like the Samian revolt and the Megarian Decree, ultimately collapsed, leading to war.
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The Ascendancy of Athens and the Prelude to the Peloponnesian War
In the aftermath of the Greco-Persian Wars, particularly after the repulsion of the Second Persian invasion in 480 BC, Athens emerged as a dominant force in the Mediterranean. The Delian League, formed under Athenian leadership, was ostensibly a defensive alliance against Persian aggression. However, over time, Athens leveraged its position to transform the League into an Athenian empire, exerting control over its member states through military might and the collection of tribute. This period, known as the Pentecontaetia, witnessed Athens' rise to power, marked by the construction of the Long Walls, the growth of its navy, and the flourishing of Athenian culture. The empire's expansion and the imposition of Athenian policies on its allies laid the groundwork for discontent and the eventual conflict with Sparta and its Peloponnesian allies.Rising Tensions and the Outbreak of the First Peloponnesian War
The seeds of discord between Athens and Sparta were sown early in the Pentecontaetia. Sparta's unease with Athenian fortifications and the subsequent dismissal of Athenian aid during the helot uprising in 465 BC strained relations between the two powers. Athens' strategic settlement of the helots in Naupaktos and its involvement in the conflict between Megara and Corinth exacerbated tensions. The First Peloponnesian War, which began in 459 BC, was characterized by sporadic hostilities and shifting alliances. The war concluded with the Thirty Years' Peace in 446/5 BC, a tenuous agreement that acknowledged the coexistence of the Delian and Peloponnesian Leagues but did little to resolve underlying animosities.The Erosion of the Thirty Years' Peace
The Thirty Years' Peace was undermined by a series of conflicts and political maneuvers. The Samian revolt in 440 BC, though suppressed by Athens without Spartan intervention, revealed cracks in the peace. The situation deteriorated further when Corinth suffered a naval defeat and Corcyra, fearing Corinthian reprisal, sought an alliance with Athens. In contravention of the peace treaty, Athens allied with Corcyra and engaged in the Battle of Sybota. Subsequently, Athens' demands on Potidaea, a Corinthian colony, led to the Battle of Potidaea and a clear breach of the peace terms. These events underscored the fragility of the peace and the growing hostilities between the Athenian and Peloponnesian Leagues.The Megarian Decree and the Inevitability of War
The imposition of the Megarian Decree by Athens, which barred Megara from Athenian markets and ports, was a significant affront to the Spartan ally and further strained diplomatic relations. The economic sanctions against Megara, along with other grievances, were brought before a Spartan assembly in 432 BC. Despite Athenian offers for arbitration and the cautionary stance of King Archidamus II, the assembly was swayed by the bellicose rhetoric of the ephor Sthenelaidas. The Spartans concluded that Athens had violated the Thirty Years' Peace, effectively declaring war. This decision marked the end of diplomacy and the beginning of the protracted and devastating Peloponnesian War.
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The Rise of Athens
The Delian League
Athens formed the Delian League as a defensive alliance against Persian aggression, but eventually used it to establish an empire
The Pentecontaetia
During this period, Athens rose to power through the construction of fortifications, the growth of its navy, and the flourishing of its culture
Athenian Policies and Expansion
Athens' expansion and imposition of its policies on its allies led to discontent and eventual conflict with Sparta and its allies
The First Peloponnesian War
Rising Tensions
Tensions between Athens and Sparta were fueled by Athenian fortifications, involvement in conflicts, and Sparta's dismissal of Athenian aid
The War and the Thirty Years' Peace
The First Peloponnesian War, which began in 459 BC, ended with the Thirty Years' Peace in 446/5 BC, a fragile agreement that did little to resolve underlying animosities
The Erosion of the Thirty Years' Peace
Conflicts and Political Maneuvers
The Samian revolt, the Battle of Sybota, and the Battle of Potidaea revealed the fragility of the peace and the growing hostilities between Athens and Sparta
The Megarian Decree
The Megarian Decree, which imposed economic sanctions on Megara, further strained diplomatic relations and ultimately led to the declaration of war by Sparta
The Outbreak of the Peloponnesian War
The Spartan Assembly
The Spartan assembly, swayed by the bellicose rhetoric of the ephor Sthenelaidas, concluded that Athens had violated the Thirty Years' Peace and declared war
The Beginning of War
The decision of the Spartan assembly marked the end of diplomacy and the beginning of the devastating Peloponnesian War
The Ascendancy of Athens and the Prelude to the Peloponnesian War
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Delian League purpose
Defensive alliance against Persian aggression, led by Athens.
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Transformation of Delian League
Athens converted the League into an empire, controlling members through military force and tribute.
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Consequences of Athenian imperialism
Expansion and imposition of policies led to unrest, setting the stage for the Peloponnesian War with Sparta.
