Right: Book cover of The Landmark Thucydides: A Comprehensive Guide to the Peloponnesian War by by Thucydides (Author), Robert B. Strassler (Editor), Richarb B. Crawley (Translator), Victor Davis Hanson (Introduction). Thucydides' historical account of the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta is a revered and enduring masterpiece in the Western literary tradition. It has remained a vital source of knowledge and insight for over two millennia, catering to the interests of various communities ranging from generals and politicians to intellectually curious individuals. Endowed with an unparalleled abundance of valuable information, this work continues to captivate readers with its extensive military, moral, political, and philosophical discourses. So, when Thucydides dubbed this tome "a possession for all time," he didn't exaggerate in the least. Its treasure trove of knowledge is simply unmatched. This book is a must-have in your home library.

The Peloponnesian War is a significant event in ancient Greek history that lasted for nearly thirty years from 431 BC to 404 BC. This armed conflict was waged between two powerful states, Athens and Sparta, and their respective allies. The war brought about significant changes in Greece, reshaping its political, social, economic, and cultural landscape.

The causes of the Peloponnesian War were complex and rooted in the complicated history of the Greek city-states. The struggle for power and dominance between Athens and Sparta, which were the two leading city-states in Greece, played a significant role in shaping the events that led to the outbreak of war. Athens, a maritime power, had emerged as the dominant force in Greece following the Persian Wars. Athens grew into the Athenian Empire, which was an alliance of city-states, called the Delian League, under the leadership of Athens. The League enabled Athens to control much of Greece and helped transformed it into a political, military, and economic power.

The rise of Athens as a superpower, however, was met with growing resentment from Sparta and other city-states that saw her as an emerging threat. Sparta, which was a land-based military power, together with its allies, formed the Peloponnesian League to counter the Athenian threat. The tensions between the two alliances escalated, leading to the outbreak of war. The conflict was further complicated by the intervention of Persia in support of Sparta, as well as the involvement of other city-states.

The Peloponnesian War was fought in three distinct phases, each characterized by different strategies, tactics, and battles. The first phase, also known as the Archidamian War, lasted from 431 BC to 421 BC. In this phase, Sparta adopted a strategy of attacking Athens' allies and land-based interests, while Athens focused on maintaining its control over the Aegean Sea. The two sides engaged in several battles and raids, but they failed to achieve decisive victories. The war eventually ended with the signing of the Peace of Nicias, which established a temporary truce between the two sides.

However, peace did not last for long, and the war resumed in 413 BC, with the launch of the Sicilian Expedition. In this second phase, Athens sent a massive naval force to attack Sicily, which was an ally of Sparta. However, the expedition was a disaster, as the Athenians lost their entire navy, leading to a shift in the balance of power in favour of Sparta. This phase of the war is known as the Decelean War, and it lasted from 413 BC to 404 BC. During this period, Sparta, with Persian support, built a powerful navy that defeated Athens' naval forces in several key battles, including the Battle of Aegospotami in 405 BC. Sparta emerged victorious over Athens, and the Peloponnesian War came to an end.

The aftermath of the Peloponnesian War led to significant changes in the political, economic, social, and cultural landscape of Greece. Sparta emerged as the dominant power in Greece and established an empire of its own, controlling most of the Greek city-states. The Athenian Empire, which had been the dominant political and economic power before the war, fell apart. Athens was forced to accept the rule of the Thirty Tyrants, who were oligarchs supported by Sparta. The war also had a significant impact on the economy of Greece, with many regions, including Athens, suffering from poverty. The war also marked a significant shift in Greek society, with the emergence of all-out warfare between city-states and atrocities on a large scale.

The Peloponnesian War has been a topic of historical inquiry for centuries, with many historians and scholars offering diverse interpretations and analyses. Thucydides' account of the war, The History of the Peloponnesian War, remains the most significant source of information on the war. Thucydides, an Athenian general who fought in the early part of the war, wrote his account of the war using first-hand accounts, including events he personally witnessed. Scholars regard Thucydides as a reliable and neutral source, despite his admitted interpretation of the general arguments presented. However, his account is incomplete due to his exile from Athens in 423 BC, and Xenophon's Hellenica provides an important continuation of the narrative.

Bibliography

Bauer, Susan W. The History of the Ancient World: From the Earliest Accounts to the Fall of Rome. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2007.

Strassler, Robert B. The Landmark Thucydides: A Comprehensive Guide to the Peloponnesian War. New York: Free Press, 2008.