Pelo War: Archidamian War

Question 1

Thucydides opinion on peace treaties:

Answer 1

peace was an armistice in a continuous war

Question 2

Sparta initial strategy:

Answer 2

INEFFECTIVE:
by all Peloponnesians, invade Athens and lay waste to lands (burning), avoid naval combat, draw out Athenians to hoplite warfare, instigate Athenian ally revolts
–> only sustain siege for weeks only, must return to own lands to suppress Helot revolt/farm

Question 3

Athens initial strategy:

Answer 3

ineffective/ Pericles strategy: ATTRITION
aim –> wear down/outlast Sparta,
staying inside Athens walls, defense no contact Spartan army, knew couldn’t win by regular strategy: BUCKLEY

KAGAN: but allies not happy with this, as must be passive, loss of pride/bravery

Question 4

Sparta resources:

Answer 4

thucydides: 30 000 hoplites, 2000 cavalry, 100 triremes, limited financial weath (rely on Corinth), army outnumber Ath. 3:1

Question 5

Athens resources:

Answer 5

thucydides: 1300 hoplites, 1200 cavalry, 1600 archers, 300 triremes, reserve funds of 6000 talents/annual income of 1000 talents

Question 6

Sources to use:

Answer 6

Buckley. Sealy, Kagan, Thucydides

Question 7

impact of plague:

Answer 7

BUCKLEY: may be 1/3 killed, Athenians attempted sue for peace–> fail,

KAGAN: blame Pericles for choosing war/lost generalship, sign from gods, –> made Sparta think easy victory–> wrong, still fought on,

Question 8

impact of Pericles death:

Answer 8

KAGAN: lost strong leader, persuade Athens to stick to plan–> after no unified/consistent plan

Question 9

Pylos event:

Answer 9

425, Demosthenes makes fort at Pylos,
fight Spartan navy, destroys it

Spartiates are surrounded/captured

Question 10

impact of victory at Pylos:

Answer 10

Cleon favoured, Athens have advantage–> first decisive victory for Athens, want to continue offensive strategy, Spartiates captured,

Sparta–> lose whole navy–> Athens free to control seas, must change strategy–> sue peace,

Question 11

Peace of Nicias:

Answer 11

421, give back Spartiates

Question 12

Brasidas in Thrace:

Answer 12

need to gain bargaining leverage, goes to Amphipolis–> good resources/cornerstone

Question 13

Athens strategy at Amphipolis:

Answer 13

new allies with Macedon, can trap Brasidas, scope out landscape

Question 14

Spartan strategy at Amphipolis:

Answer 14

moves to hill, changes strategy –> attacks at withdrawal to Eion, at Thracian gate–> vulnerable

Question 15

results of amphipolis:

Answer 15

both Cleon and Brasidas die, but Sparta wins
both aggressors dead, peace can be sued
Nicias can persuade Athens for peace
Sparta wants Spartiates back