The Peloponnesian War: A Battle between Ancient Athens and Sparta and their Ideologies

The First Half: The Archimedean War

Sparta first declared war on the Athenians, and for a majority of the first half, Sparta led invasions on the Greek City-State, Athens, in their territory, Attica. This battle seemingly began as the battle between that of an oligarchy and democratic systems. Unfortunately, in the midst of battle, a plague broke out in Athens and killed Pericles, their strategic leader. Eventually, the Spartans concluded their invasion of Attica, and peace was established through the Peace of Nicias.

Source: Robinson, Eric. “Thucydides and Democratic Peace.” Journal of Military Ethics, vol. 5, no. 4, 2006, pp. 243–53. Crossref, doi:10.1080/15027570601048720

Image: Map_Peloponnesian_War_431_BC-fr.svg: Marsyas.Map Peloponnesian War 431 BC-en.svg. 1 January 2011. WikiMedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Map_Peloponnesian_War_431_BC-en.svg. Accessed December 9 2020.

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The Second Half: The Decelean or Ionian War

The Peace of Nicias, however, did not remain. In 415, the Athenians led an invasion against the Spartan city of Syracuse. This Silesian Expedition was a failure for the Athenian fleet, as the expedition ended in 413. Retaliation from Sparta continued for many years against Athens. Eventually, in 405, Sparta destroyed the Athenian fleet, and at this time, the Athenians become dominated by Sparta due to the lack of financial power. The battle to preserve the democratic ideals began to superficially and internally crumble.

Source:

Robinson, Eric. “Thucydides and Democratic Peace.” Journal of Military Ethics, vol. 5, no. 4, 2006, pp. 243–53. Crossref, doi:10.1080/15027570601048720.

Image:

Author N/A. Greek Galley. September 2008.  The Perseus Project

WikiMedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Greek_Galleys.jpg. Accessed December 9 2020.

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Plato's Involvement Within the Wars

Plato fought in the Peloponnesian wars from 409-404 BCE, but he preferred a political career to a military one. The wars themselves shaped Plato's career and philosophy. If he had not been a part of the wars and if the wars had not happened, Plato would have likely chosen a political career instead of a philosophical one. However, through his amalgamation of political philosophy, the Athenian democratic republic's insight and exacerbated attempts to maintain it was analyzed that it may be interpreted for historical insight. 

Source:

Russett, Bruce. “Thucydides, Ancient Greece, and the Democratic Peace.” Journal of Military Ethics, vol. 5, no. 4, 2006, pp. 254–69. Crossref, doi:10.1080/15027570601037798.

Image:

Silanion. Head Platon Glyptothek Munich. Date N/A. Munich. WikiMedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Head_Platon_Glyptothek_Munich_548.jpg.  Accessed December 9, 2020. 

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Death of Socrates and Start of Political Analysis

After the wars in 403, Plato wanted to return to politics; however, he realized that the political world had shifted since the war. After the execution of Socrates, he decided he would not participate in the politics of Athens. Plato followed Socrates until Socrates died (469-399BC). He then went on to write about Socrates and his ideas of philosophy. Socrates was a soldier involved in the Peloponnesian Wars, which provided Plato with commentary as a contributor to the extent Plato’s political philosophy and his stance towards Athenian political commitments and ideals.  

Source: Russett, Bruce. “Thucydides, Ancient Greece, and the Democratic Peace.” Journal of Military Ethics, vol. 5, no. 4, 2006, pp. 254–69. Crossref, doi:10.1080/15027570601037798.

Image: David, Jacques Louis.The Death of Socrates. 1787. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City. WikiMedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:David_-_The_Death_of_Socrates.jpg. Accessed December 9, 2020.

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The Conclusion of a Grecian Civil War: The Peloponnesian War and Democracy Restored

Sparta has the ultimate victory over Athens. Through the victory, the Spartans established a Tyrannical rule called the Thirty Tyrants over the Athenians. However, in 403 BC, an Athenian general, Thrasybulus, reintroduces democracy over the Athenian people. The reimplementation of Athenian democracy was that of an ideological triumph. It demonstrated the people of Athens preference, but to continue this preservation implores of leaders committed to unity amongst Athens people and his moral and egotistical standings.

 Source: Zabecki, David T. “The Great Greek Turncoat.” Military History, vol. 27, no. 5, Jan. 2011, pp. 42–51. EBSCOhost,search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=asn&AN=54945367&site=ehost-live&scope=site.

Image: Alciato, Andrea. Thrasybulus1.Date N/A. Location N/A. WikiCommons Media. https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Andrea_Alciato&action=edit&redlink=1. Accessed December 9, 2020.

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The Decline of Athenian Democracy

The Peloponnesian wars brought about a few oligarchic revolutions that disturbed the democracy in Athens. The fall of Athenian democracy began in 338 BC after a rise in power from Macedonians caused Athens to secede. Athens was forced to join the League of Corinth and was then under Macedonian control. After strenuous effort to preserve the democratic ideology, the League of Corinth's dismantling, although superficial in its destruction, symbolizes the reoccurring internal battle that Athens endured from numerous fronts, domestic and abroad.

Source: Blackwell, Christopher W. Athenian Democracy: a brief overview. Stoa Publication.February, 2003. http://www.stoa.org/demos/article_democracy_overview@page=10&greekEncoding=UnicodeC.html

Image: Map_Macedonia_336_BC-es.svg: Marsyas. Map Macedonia 336 BC. July 2009. Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Map_Macedonia_336_BC-en.svg#/media/File:Map_Macedonia_336_BC-en.svg. Accessed December 9, 2020.

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