BK II – The events of

Keywords: SynoecismHoplites

Book 2 (431-428 BC) War begins with Thebes' attempt to subvert Plataea. 2.1-2.6. Account of the mobilization of and list of the allies of the two combatants. 2.7-2.9. First invasion of Attica. 2.10-2.23. • Archidamus leads the Peloponnesian army into Attica. 2.10-2.12. • Athenian preparations and abandonment of the countryside. 2.13-2.14. • Excursus on Athenian synoikism. 2.15-2.16. • Difficult conditions in Athens for refugees from countryside. 2.17. • Archidamus ravages Oenoe and Acharnai. 2.18-2.20. • Athenian fury and anger at Pericles. 2.21-2.22. Athenian naval counter-attacks along coast of Peloponese and islands. 2.23-2.32. Pericles' Funeral Oration. 2.34-2.46. The plague of Athens. 2.47-2.54. Second invasion of Attica and Athenian naval counter-attacks. 2.55-2.58. Pericles' third speech, defending his position and policy. 2.59-2.64. Thucydides' estimate of Pericles' qualities and the causes for Athens' eventual defeat. 2.65. Diplomacy and skirmishes in Thrace, the islands, and the Northeast. 2.66-2.69. Fall of Potidaea. 2.70. Investment of Plataea. 2.71-2.78. Naval victories of Phormio in the Northeast. 2.80-2.92. Threat of raid on the Piraeus. 2.93-2.94. Thracian campaign in Macedonia under Sitalces. 2.95-2.101.

The Archidamian War 431-421 BC

Spartan supremacy on land and Athenian dominancy at sea meant that relatively few decisive battles were ever fought in the war.

Using the source you have been given, fill in the table below in your notes:

Tactics Consequences

Sparta

Athens

Tactics and Strategies in the Archidamian War

The Spartan strategy was to invade the land surrounding Athens. While this invasion deprived Athenians of the productive land around their city, Athens itself was able to maintain access to the sea, and therefore could easily withstand these raids from the safety of the long walls. Many of the citizens of Attica abandoned their farms and moved inside this land corridor, which connected Athens to its port of Piraeus. The Spartans also occupied Attica for periods of only three weeks at a time; as traditionally soldiers were expected to go home to participate in the harvest. Furthermore, the helots needed to be kept under control, and could not be left unsupervised for long periods of time – as a result of this the longest Spartan invasion, in 430 BC, lasted just forty days. In contrast, the Athenians – advised by Pericles avoided open battle with the far more numerous and better trained Spartan hoplites, relying instead on the fleet. The Athenian fleet was dominant throughout the Aegan, demonstrating their naval strength a series of key victories. However in 430, Athens was hit with an outbreak of ‘plague’, ravaging the overcrowded city, ultimately becoming a significant cause of its final defeat. The plague wiped out over 30,000 citizens, including Pericles and his sons, whilst approximately 30-60% of the Athenian population died. The longterm consequence of this was that Athenian manpower was drastically reduced and they were no longer an attractive option for foreign mercenaries – on whom much of the manpower had relied. Similarly, fear of the plague lead to the abondonment of the Spartan raid that summer into Attica.

Leadership:Put these sentences alongside the appropriate leader……

1. Had initially spoken to avoid conflict where necessary in order to remain truthful to traditional Spartan values

2. Had just be accused of misappropriating public funds3. Accused of pushing for war to secure his political future after

accusations about his private life and challenges to his political office.4. Had been the leading politician since Cimon in the 450’s,

spearheading policy decisions and the reorganisation of the Empire.5. Lead his men in raids on demes in Attica6. Had suggested a postponement of the conflict in order at least to

give his side time to prepare, suggesting that ‘If we begin the war in haste, we'll have many delays before we end it, owing to our lack of preparation."

2.1-2.6 – Thebes attempts a quick raid on Plataea but fails, falls to a siege in 427 BCFirst invasion of Attica. 2.10-2.23 – Raids on Attica by Spartans, including accounts of particular villages raided by Archidamus during the period. Reliance on the leadership of Pericles, Athens counterattacked at sea with campaigns along the coast of the Peloponnese.Pericles' Funeral Oration. 2.34-2.46. – As is traditional, Athens holds mass funeral at the end of each campaign to mark the passing of its heroes. Speech of Pericles is classic and emotional delivery – should also be noted for the anger expressed before by Athenian citizens for the war policy, therefore this is key political moment for Pericles. It is a list of Athenian triumphs full of jingoism and patriotic fervor.

Y our Task: Read the speech and highlight examples of Athenian greatness and achievement given by Pericles

Homework Task:

Bring in definitions for the two keywords from today’s lesson.

Synoikism, Synoecism or synecism

“To unite together under one capital city".

In reference to the Athenian democractic system of the ten tribes.

Hoplite A heavily armed Greek foot soldier. A general term used to describe the infantry and the tactics assumed by this – specifically marching and fighting in columns and with close discipline with swords and throwing spears.

BK II: Continued The plague of Athens. 2.47-2.54. Second invasion of Attica and Athenian naval counter-attacks.

2.55-2.58. Pericles' third speech, defending his position and policy. 2.59-

2.64. Thucydides' estimate of Pericles' qualities and the causes

for Athens' eventual defeat. 2.65. Diplomacy and skirmishes in Thrace, the islands, and the

Northeast. 2.66-2.69. Fall of Potidaea. 2.70. Investment of Plataea. 2.71-2.78. Naval victories of Phormio in the Northeast. 2.80-2.92. Threat of raid on the Piraeus. 2.93-2.94. Thracian campaign in Macedonia under Sitalces. 2.95-2.101.