The Age of Pericles and The Peloponnesian War

The Age of Pericles

• A.K.A. Golden Age of Athens (490 to 429 BCE).• Made many changes:–All male citizens should be involved

in government.–Paid men in public office–Allowed the poor to serve in gov’t

The Age of Pericles

• Direct Democracy – assembly met and voted a few times a month(6,000 had to be present).–Many citizens took place in day-to-day affairs

• If you’re not involved in gov’t, you’re useless

• Rebuilt the acropolis• Made Athens the cultural center of Greece

Greek Against Greek

• Athens formed Delian League (after Persian Wars) alliance between city-states

• Other city-states resented Athenian power.• Split into rivals.– Sparta wanted a government run by business

–Oligarchy (Peloponnesian League)–Athens wanted Democracy

27 year war broke out in 431 BCE

Peloponnesian War

• Athens – geographic disadvantage• Sparta – inland Athenian navy is

useless• Sparta invades Athens citizens

move into the center of the city.–Plague breaks out & kills one-third of

the population.

Peloponnesian War (cont.)

• Sparta allies with Persia (used to be enemies).–404 BCE with the help of the Persian

Navy, the Spartans captured Athens and took over Greece.

• After Sparta is victorious they try to rule Greece unsuccessfully.

The Aftermath of the War

• The Spartan rule was short and cruel.• Eventually fighting breaks out and

the Greek city-states are invaded by the Macedonians under Phillip II (Father of Alexander the Great)