End of the Peloponnesian War 419-404 Flashcards
Alliance of Athens, Argos, Mantinea and Ellis
Argos initially made plans to ally with Sparta.
But Athens felt like Sparta hadn’t met up with the agreements.
Alcibiades. feeling threatened arranged a meet up between Argos, Mantinea and Elis
Argos saw how bad the relations between Athens and Sparta were and agreed to alliance
Alcibiades
Athenian statesman
Known for good lucks, prestige, wealth, charm but also was a keen adventurer
He was accused of being a drunk and lawlessness
He wanted to invade Sicily and battle with the Syracruse
Battle of Mantinea 418
Each sides began to act aggressively towards each other
Sparta came to the aid of Epidaurus in 419 and sent an army to the north Pelo. Athens, Argos and Mantinea sent an army in response.
Sparta were joined by troops from Tegea and Arcadia
This ended in Spartan victory
Argos withdrew from the four way alliance and made a truce with Sparta so did Mantinea and Elis.
Atrocity on Melos 416
Athens launched an expedition on the island of Melos.
This showed the real imperialism of Athens bc it was unprovoked.
Melians wanted to be free
‘the strong do what they have the power to do and the weak accept that they must to accept’ - Thucydides on Athen’s ideology
They tried to offer an alliance to Melos but they refused. Athens already felt like Melos had something against them with Sparta.
Melos had a belief that Sparta would come and help them
All men were then put to death and women and children into slavery
Background to the Sicilian Expedition 415-13
Athens wanted to expand their empire and expand trade soo they were interested in Sicily and Italy.
Syracuse was a Corinthian ally who started causing problems against Leontini, an Athenian ally.
Segesta, a Sicilian city and ally of Athens applied for help bc of Selinunte and offered funds.
Acibiades wanted this to happen as it met Athen’s goals for expansion and money
Opinions on Expeditions
Alcibiades wanted to go in on the expedition and attack Syracuse if he managed to convince cities in Sicily to ally with them
Nicias: Did not want the expedition to go ahead and wanted to simply resolve the conflict. He believed it would cause them to weaken
Lamachus: urged immediate battle and attack them unprepared
The Recall of Alcibiades
Alcibiades was accused of mutilating the Hermae but he denied the charges and set sail
He was then recalled to Athens to stand trail but then instead went to Sparta to assist them in defeating Athens
He gave them advice on how to defeat the Athenians
He told them to fortify Decelea and cut food supplies from Euboea
Sparta sent Gylippius and King Agis
War in Sicily
The recall of Alcibiades who impelled the Athenians into action
Nicias was in charge, who didn’t even want to be
However they defeated the Syracusans in a pitched battle
They were unsuccessful in winning allies and Syracuse were considering surrendering
Nicias attempted to built walls around Syracuse but they made counter walls. Athenian ships were rotting and destroyed
Nicias knew either; recall expedition or send reinforcements
Plus Gylippus had arrived from Sparta and recruited allies from Syracuse.
The Battle of Great Harbour+ Athenian
With Syracuse and Sparta and their allies fighting Athens, they were weak.
They had new and better ships against the Athenians
Demosthenes finally came with 73 trimenes and 5000 hoplites but was badly defeated
Nicias waited for religious and spiritual reasons which consequented in more time for downfall
