The History of the Peloponnesian War

Introduction

Thucydides' history of the Peloponnesian War is a useful source of insight on both the proper conduct of war and the impact war can have on society. The Athenians demonstrated the danger of failing to act decisively in war. Rather than pursuing a strategy directed at an achievable victory, they took an indirect approach that gave them an exhausting protracted war. Their tactics also reflected a lack of decision that lost them key battles. The negative impact that war can have on men's moral character is illustrated by the changes that took place in Athenian society(Bagnall 90-109). Pericles' funeral oration gives an account of the values Athenians lived before the war. The requirements of combat forced the rejection of these higher principles in favor of more basic values keyed to survival. Athenian society itself suffered a deterioration as moral restraints became loose and public spirit gave way to self-involvement.

Peloponnesian War

The war between Athens and the Athenian empire versus Sparta, Thebes, Corinth, and other members of the Peloponnesian Confederacy 431 - 404 B.C.E. Large scale campaigns and heavy fighting took place from Sicily to the coast of Asia Minor and from the Hellespont and Thrace to Rhodes. It was the first war in history to be recorded by an eyewitness historian of the highest caliber. It has come down through history as the archetypal war between a commercial democracy and an agricultural aristocracy and a war between a maritime superpower and a continental military machine(Kallet 88-94). Thycidides' history is itself a classic, which for generations was considered a foundation of a proper education. The war began on 4 April 431 B.C. with a Theban attempt to surprise Plataea, Athens' ally and outpost on the northern base of Cithaeron. It ended on 25 April 404 B.C., when Athens capitulated.

According to Thucydides the major cause of the Peloponnesian War was "the growth of Athenian power and the fear which was caused in Sparta." Sparta feared the growth of the Athenian Empire. In addition, Sparta hated that Athens dominated the trading industry by sea. Thucydides also believed the war started contrasts between real underlying reasons and immediate causes(Krentz 23-29).

Considering the circumstances, the peace terms offered by the Spartans were surprisingly lenient. The Athenian empire was gone, of course, and the Athenians had to destroy the Long Walls and the walls around Piraeus. Only ten ships were left to the Athenian navy. Athens was also required to join the Spartan alliance and follow Sparta's lead in foreign policy. Nevertheless, Athens retained its independence and its land, more than the Athenians might have expected and more than some of Sparta's allies wished(Kallet 88-94).

The ethical and moral consideration of Peloponnesian War

Athenians, like most other Greeks, made a sharp distinction between internal and external affairs: justice obtained among citizens within the polis, while force governed relations with others. Accordingly, what would be counted a wrong against a citizen was not necessarily so counted if another polis, or a foreigner, was the victim ...