Pentekontaetia (479-431 BC) Flashcards
478
Delian League formed out of Hellenic League - Athens Hegemon, aim of fighting Persians, reimbursing losses and spreading wealth gained
Events leading to Peloponnesian War - 479
Hellenic league with Sparta as the Hegemon leading smaller battles against the Persians across Greece, Byzantium and the siege of Sestos (Attacked in 479, sieged, city suffered famine through the winter due to the surprise nature - was lost briefly but taken back by Cimon at some point between 478-471 according to plutarch) - Pausanias as commander, eventually replaced with Athens and Aristeides as Hegemon and commander respectively due to Pausanias’ poor conduct - Spartan reaction (Thucydides: They regarded the Athenians as being very capable) (Diodorus: Considered making war with Athens over command of the sea) - Aristeides chosen due to being just as a leader (Plutarch, Life of Aristeides), Pausanias also charged as collaborating with Persians Allegedly (Thucydides: Charged with conspiring with the Persians … good evidence for this)
479 - 477 - Athens’ rebuilding
Rebuilding of the Athenian walls on order of Themistocles, Spartans came and were captured (Thucydides: Aided them and advised them)
469 - Athenian Expansion
Athenian Empire beginning to rise: E.G. 469 BC, Naxos attempts to leave league, is then forced to reintegrate, tear down walls and pay tribute (Thucydides: Attempted to Leave … had to return following a siege … led by the Athenians)
THUCYDIDES HOTPW 1.98-101
‘AND CAPTURED EION’
‘NEXT THEY ENSLAVED SCYROS
WAR VS CASTYRUS….ENDED BY SURENDER ON CONDITIONS’
‘NAXOS LEFT THE CONFEDERACY….SHE HAD TO RETURN AFTER A SIEGE’
THASOS- 3RD YEAR-‘GIVING UP THEIR POSSESSIONS TO ATHENS’
464 - Revolt in Sparta
Helot Revolt, following earthquake in Sparta - Spartans led resistance, Athenians sent aid in the form of Cimon (Cimon being Proxenos of Sparta in Athens) - Athenians turned away, resettled Helots in Naupactus, and Cimon was ostracised on his return (Thucydides- invoke the aid of the allies, especially the Athenians)
461 - Megara Revolt
Corinth vs Megara - Both being major trading states, having near constant border war with each other (Thucydides: Most important event in shaping relations between Athens and Sparta) Megara revolts from Peloponnesian League, begin series of conflicts in Boeotia, known as the First Peloponnesian War (461-446) by modern Historians (Not by Ancient Sources)
457 - Tanagra
Battle of Tanagra, 457 (Thucydides: battle fought in Tanagra in Boeotia … Heavy loss on both sides … Lakadaemonian victory) - notable due to being first instance of conflict between Athens and Sparta in the first Peloponnesian war.
453 - Erythrai Decree
Terms for surrender of Erythrai to Delian league after revolt in 453: democratic government installed, forced to send regular grain to Athens and accept Athenian garrison
446 - Thirty Year Peace
Thucydides States the terms, notably: To last 30 years, no fighting between states involved, Peloponnesian League and Delian League, Delian and Peloponnesian gains would be retained respectively, Argos would be excluded from the treaty, any neutral state could freely ally with any side they wished, if any state thought the peace had been breached, then negotiations would take place before any open conflict
446 - Chalcis decree
Terms for Chalcis after revolt
440 - Samos revolt
Athenians attempted to enter Samos and install a democracy following issues with Miletus, aid from Persians requested by Samians, angered Spartans, wished to wage war, Corinthians stopped them, said free to do so due to nature of Samos’ position (Thucydides and Plutarch recount this)
Corinthian Complaints
435 Corcyra affair: Corinthian Colony having issue with its own ally Epidamnus - Corcyra asks for help from Corinth, as does Epidamnus, as does Epidamnus, Corinth sides with E, Corcyra requests Athens, decide to take stand in a defensive manner as to not start war (Thucydides: Corinth … who requested the Athenians to stand down) Athenians did not, drove them away
432 Potidaea: Ex corinthian Colony, Athens orders to tear down walls, pay tribute, eject Corinthian Magistrates expecting retaliation from Corcyra
432 Megarian Decree: Pericles banned Megarians from trading in Athens/ports - (Thuc: Statement by Sparta stating war could be avoided granted they revoke the decree) (Plutarch, degree was cause and by not overturning it, Pericles caused the War)
Athenian Policies within the Delian League sources:
First stele in Athens- tribute list
Kleinias decree- imposed on all Athenian member states. Any states defaulting on tribute fined etc
Coinage decree- banned mining of silver coins in all states, must accept Athenian currency, fines if not
478
Delian League formed
479 - 477
Rebuilding of the Athenian Walls
