Ancient Greece: The Classical Age. After Greece Defeated Persians Took a part of Persias empire along the coast of Asia Minor. Greece wanted to form

Ancient Greece:The Classical Age

After Greece Defeated Persians

Took a part of Persia’s empire along the coast of Asia Minor.

Greece wanted to form an alliance with Sparta to fend off future attacks, but Sparta said no.

Aristeides of Athens organized the Delian League.

Delian League Each Greek state signed a defence

treaty with Athens.Agreed to pay annual tribute to

maintain a common fleet. Originally voluntary, then became

mandatory to join. Had meetings on island of Delos,

hence the name Delian League.

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.



PericlesAthens enjoyed its greatest period of

wealth (30 years) under the leadership of Pericles.

Democracy at this time meant that every citizen could speak and vote on every piece of legislation in the assembly.

All law cases decided by majority vote of a jury of citizens of between 210 and 1501 people.

Pericles himself was elected annually.

Rivalry With SpartaIn 462 BCE Sparta asked Athens for

help in defending themselves against a Helot revolt.

When the Athenians arrived to help, the Spartans refused their help and sent them home.

This insulted the Athenians.

During 450’s BCEAthens tried to build a land empire that

threatened the Spartans power base. Added to the tension between the two

states.Tried to ease the rivalry by signing a

peace treaty in 445 BCE. They agreed to stay out of each other’s internal affairs.

Rivalry continued despite the treaty. Led to all out war.

Spartan & Athenian Territory



Differences Sparta Land power Oligarchy (rule by

few) Not progressive in

trade, wealth, or culture.

Sought to expand empire to protect itself and its narrow interests.

Athens Sea power Democracy Progressive,

wealthy, trading state with advances in culture (literature, philosophy, etc.)

Expanded empire for power and income it provided.

Peloponnesian WarBegan with Corinth, a rich trading city

in Greece. Corinth belonged to Sparta’s

Peloponnesian League - an ally that was given protection and security by Sparta.

Athens began to interfere with Corinth’s colonies and was accused of breaking the peace treaty with Sparta.

Peloponnesian WarLongest and most costly war the

Greeks ever fought. Almost every city-state took a side. In the beginning, Athens seemed the

strongest and best prepared for war. Why?

Athens PreparedAthens knew they could be invaded by

land, so they arranged for food to be imported and for the people to take refuge behind the Long Walls whenever Attica (greater Athens) was attacked.

Long What?

Long Walls Walls built from a city to its port that

provides a secure connection to the sea in times of siege.

Athens had a long wall that connected to the sea port of Piraeus.

Long Walls



The PlagueIn 430 BCE (second year of war) the

Spartans invaded Attica.The Athenians sought refuge behind

the Long Walls. The plague hit the cramped,

unsanitary conditions and spread. In two years, a third of the Athenians

died, including Pericles.

Peloponnesian WarLasted for 27 years. Athens and Sparta won minor victories

back and forth. 416 BCE - Athens, under leadership of

Alcibiades, conquers Melos. After that the Athenians tried to

conquer Syracuse, a very powerful city on island of Sicily.

Syracuse



SyracuseCampaign to conquer Syracuse lasted 2

years.Required a lot of ships, manpower, and

money.By 408 BCE, Persians began supporting

Spartans - provided ships to fight Athens. Athens became weak as money dwindled

for building new ships and losses at sea continued.

DefeatIn 405 BCE the Athenians put one last

fleet of ships out for battle. Didn’t battle for days.Athenians went to shore for food.Peloponnesians caught them off guard

and burned their ships.

PunishmentAthens was required to tear down its

Long Walls.Athens surrendered all but 12 of its

ships. Athens had to acknowledge Spartan

leadership in matters of war and peace.

AftermathAthens was ruled by the 30 Tyrants.A time of terror and bloodshed.In 8 months, 1500 men died. Athens began to recover in 403 BCE,

but was never again a great power.

Documents

Ancient Greece: The Classical Age. After Greece Defeated Persians Took a part of Persias empire along the coast of Asia Minor. Greece wanted to form