Peloponnesian War History & Facts

Learn about the Peloponnesian War History & Facts of Ancient Greece fought between Sparta and Athens

The Greek city-states of Sparta and Athens engaged in combat during the Peloponnesian War. From 431 BC until 404 BC, it lasted. The heyday of Ancient Greece came to an end when Athens ultimately lost the war.

Peloponnesian War History & Facts

Where did the name Peloponnesian come from?

The Peloponnese, a peninsula in southern Greece, inspired the phrase “Peloponnesian.” Many of the great Greek city-states, such as Sparta, Argos, Corinth, and Messene, were located on this peninsula.

Before the War

Athens and Sparta had committed to a thirty-year peace following the Persian War. While they were striving to recover from the Persian War, they didn’t want to engage in conflict with one another. Under Pericles’ direction, Athens flourished in strength and prosperity during this time, and the Athenian empire expanded.

Sparta and its allies developed a growing sense of resentment and mistrust for Athens. Finally, Sparta declared war on Athens in 431 BC after the two cities found themselves on opposing sides of a struggle involving the city of Corinth.

The First War

Ten years passed during the first Peloponnesian War. At this period, the Athenians ruled the sea while the Spartans ruled the land. Long walls were constructed by Athens from the city to its harbour, Piraeus. They were able to continue trading and receiving supplies from their ships while remaining within the city because to this.

Even though the Spartans never managed to scale Athens’ defenses during the first war, the plague inside the city claimed many lives. This featured Athens’ legendary general and brilliant leader Pericles.

The Long wall of Athens
Peloponnesian War from the US Army
Click picture to see larger view

Peace of Nicias

After ten years of war, in 421 BC Athens and Sparta agreed to a truce. It was called the Peace of Nicias, named after the general of the Athenian army.

Athens Attacks Sicily

In 415 BC, Athens decided to help one of their allies on the island of Sicily. They sent a large force there to attack the city of Syracuse. Athens lost the battle horribly and Sparta decided to retaliate starting the Second Peloponnesian War.

The Second War

The Spartans began to gather allies to conquer Athens. They even enlisted the help of the Persians who lent them money to build a fleet of warships. Athens, however recovered and won a series of battles between 410 and 406 BC.

Athens is Defeated

In 405 BC the Spartan general Lysander defeated the Athenian fleet in battle. With the fleet defeated, the people in the city of Athens began to starve. They did not have the army to take on the Spartans on land. In 404 BC the city of Athens surrendered to the Spartans.

The city-states of Corinth and Thebes wanted the city of Athens destroyed and the people enslaved. However, Sparta disagreed. They made the city tear down its walls, but refused to destroy the city or enslave its people.

Facts about the Peloponnesian War

• The first major war between Athens and Sparta is often called the Archidamian War after Sparta’s King Archidamus II.
• The “long walls” of Athens were around 4 ½ miles long each. The entire length of the walls around the city and the ports was around 22 miles.
• After Sparta defeated Athens, they ended democracy and set up a new government ruled by the “Thirty Tyrants”. This only lasted for one year, however, as the local Athenians overthrew the tyrants and restored democracy.
• The Greek soldiers were called hoplites. They typically fought with shields, a short sword, and a spear.
• Sparta was defeated by Thebes in 371 BC at the Battle of Leuctra.

Peloponnesian War History & Facts

Read also : History of Greek City-States