SS Ch.9 Lesson3

The Peloponnesian War Begins
400s B.C.
Athens and Sparta were most powerful Greek city-states
Athens wanted greater power over the other city-states
This rivalry led to a long series of battles known as the Peloponnesian Wars
Athens controlled the city-states within the Delian League
Used wealth to strengthen their defense walls, The Long Walls

The Peloponnesian War Begins
The Long Walls protected the movement of grains and good from the port to the city.
The growing of Athens navy and rule over city-states alarmed Sparta
The tensions exploded into war for the next 15 years both experiencing defeats and victories
The Peloponnesian War Begins
In 445 B.C., both sides agreed to sign the Thirty Years Peace
The Treaty did not resolved bad feelings between them and it did NOT last for 30 years…
The Peloponnesian War Begins

Renewed FightingAfter 14 years of signing the treaty, war broke out again and this time it lasted for 27 years
Golden Age of Athens came to an end
When Attica was attacked, people flooded to Athens for safety, shelter, and food
A plague weakened and killed many Athenians including Pericles

After Pericles, many leaders known as demagogues ruled
Demagogues: popular leaders who told the people what they wanted to hear
Sparta built it’s navy with the help of the Persians and attacked a fleet near Hellespont and destroyed it.
Athens surrendered to Sparta in 404 B.C.

The Thirty Tyrants
Spartans broke up the Athenian
Empire and took control of the
Athenian government. Instead of
democratic rule, Athens was ruled by
a dictatorial oligarchy, known as the
Thirty Tyrants.

Athens Regains Independence
Exiled Athenians received help from other city-states
An exiled Athenian general along with the help of Thebans, they recaptured the port of Piraeus
In the battle, the leader of Thirty Tyrants died
Sparta realized what the Thirty Tyrants had done was cruel and so they refused to help
Athens Regains Independence
The Three Thousand of Athens regained control.
A new Athenian council took control
Athens Regains Independence

Competition Among City-States
The Corinthian Alliance consisted of Corinth, Athens, and Argos
They tried to defeat Sparta but was unsuccessful
Athens and 70 other city-states defeated Sparta and broke up the Peloponnesian League
Helots were freed to return home to Messene
Competition for power and wealth made Greece unstable