01/15 War Between Athens and Sparta

The Greek city-states learned over time that their survival depended on cooperation.

Even after the Persian Wars, Persia

remained a threat.

In 478 b.c. the Greek city-states, except Sparta, joined together to form a defensive league.

Its purpose was to defend its members against the Persians.

It was called the Delian League because its headquarters was on the island of Delos.

The league drove the Persians out of

Greek territories in Anatolia, which increased trade and made Greece richer.

Over time, however, the Delian League failed and Athens began to control the other member city-states.

In 433 b.c. Athens interfered with some of Sparta’s allies, who pressured Sparta to attack Athens.

The conflict is called the Peloponnesian War because Sparta was located in the Peloponnesus region of Greece.

At a funeral ceremony for soldiers and sailors killed in battle, Pericles made a famous speech called the Funeral Oration.

In the speech, Pericles gave reasons why democracy is worth fighting for.

After about two years, a deadly disease broke out in Athens and 1/3 of the people died, including Pericles.

During the next 25 years, each side won some victories, but neither side was able to defeat its opponent.

Finally, Sparta made a deal with the Persians where they agreed to give Persia some territory in Anatolia.

In return, Persia gave Sparta money to build a navy.

In 405 b.c. Sparta’s new navy destroyed the Athenian fleet and Athens surrendered a year later.

The Peloponnesian War brought disaster to the Greek city-states.

Governments were left weak and divided.

Many people had died in battle and from disease.

After the war ended, Sparta ruled its new empire much like Athens had ruled.

Sparta’s allied city-states grew angry at the harsh treatment.