Transcript He said, “If we go to war, as I think we must, be determined that we

Greek “Powder Keg”
• After defeat of Persians Empire, Greek pride, confidence, and
arrogance increased
• Pericles took control of government
(1)Expand democracy
(3)Beautify Athens (Parthenon)
(2)Expand Athenian Empire
• Athens created the “Delian League”
– Pericles used $$ from “DL” to achieve his goals
– In time the “D.L.” became the “Athenian Empire”
• Athens built “Long Walls” around the city all the way to the port of
Pireus
• “Peloponnesian League” formed to offset alliances of the “DL”
Greek “Powder Keg”
“LONG WALLS”
PELOPONNESIAN WAR
431BC – 404 BC
SPARTA = ARMY
ATHENS = NAVY
431 BC
Thebes (Sparta’s ally) attacked Plataea (Athens
ally) – Pericles urged the Assembly to declare war
He said, “If we go to war, as I
think we must, be determined
that we are not going to climb down.
For it is from the greatest dangers
that the greatest glories are to be
won.”
after speech – Assembly voted for war
PELOPONNESIAN WAR
431BC – 404 BC
Pericles Plan to fight the war:
stay behind “Long Walls”
attack Sparta by sea – “Hit and Run”
Sparta ravaged countryside
Pericles’ position on democracy
During the first year of the war Pericles gave his most
famous speech. In this speech Pericles states his
feelings about Athenian democracy:
"Our form of government does not enter into rivalry
with the institutions of others. Our government does
not copy our neighbors', but is an example to them. It is
true that we are called a democracy, for the
administration is in the hands of the many and not of
the few. But while there exists equal justice to all and
alike in their private disputes, the claim of excellence is
also recognized; and when a citizen is in any way
distinguished, he is preferred to the public service, not
as a matter of privilege, but as the reward of merit.
Neither is poverty an obstacle, but a man may benefit
his country whatever the obscurity of his condition."
-- Pericles
PELOPONNESIAN WAR
431BC – 404 BC
430 BC – Plague hits Athens
20K/100K lost their lives (Pericles)
423 BC – Sparta urged Athens allies in “DL” to leave,
promising independence after Sparta wins
Athens forced to sign “armistice”
421 BC – Peace of Nicias
solved nothing, inevitable war would resume
PELOPONNESIAN WAR
431BC – 404 BC
418 BC – Sparta defeats Argos (Athens ally)
Alcibiades (Athenian General) sends Athenian
hoplites to Argos to defeat Spartans
Alcibiades convinces Assembly to attack Sicily
– FAILURE!! (Alcibiades fled)
>>Athenian Navy suffered big losses
>>Athens moving towards “Mob Rule”
412 BC – Sparta develops Navy w/ help of Persians
PELOPONNESIAN WAR
431BC – 404 BC
405 BC – Battle of Aegospotami
Spartan Navy destroyed remainder of Athens
Navy
404 BC – Athens surrenders
1)”Long Walls” torn down
2)Oligarchy was created – “30 Tyrants”
3)# of citizens dropped to 3000
4)never regain dominance