The Peloponnesian War

The Persian Wars united the Greek city-states and regions against a common enemy. Over time, Athens gained more wealth and power. As Athens' influence grew, its leaders demanded loyalty from other city-states. In 478 B.C. (B.C.E.), an alliance of the island city-states and Asia Minor colonies formed to protect themselves from future Persian invasions. The alliance was named the Delian League. Since the Greeks relied on the sea for many resources, including food and goods, transportation, and protection, this was advantageous for Athens. Competition between Athens and Sparta continued to grow. Athens became stronger and stronger, and eventually took control over the Delian League, using the alliance to further its own ambitions.

In the 6th century B.C. (B.C.E.), Sparta led other city-states to form a different alliance, the Peloponnesian League. Soon they rebelled against the growing strength of Athens in the Peloponnesian War, which lasted from 431 B.C. (B.C.E.) until 404 B.C. (B.C.E.).

For decades, the Peloponnesian War tore apart the Greek city-states and its surrounding regions. Athens appeared to be winning at first, as it had great wealth and the resources of the Delian League. Its navy also dominated the Mediterranean Sea.

Phases of the Peloponnesian War

Sparta had a great desire to win the war, and fought hard. The Peloponnesian War endured three phases. In this interactivity, you will discover details about how Athens, Sparta, and their allies experienced the war. Click the player button to begin.

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Although Sparta won the Peloponnesian War, the cost of fighting was great for the Greek city-states. The war resulted in the deaths of many citizens. Orchards, vineyards, and fields were destroyed. Faith in democracy had also been reduced. The Greeks worked to rebuild their land from the effects of the war, but it was left vulnerable to outside attacks.

 

King Philip II and The Rise of Macedonia

Macedonia was a northern kingdom during the time of ancient Greece. In early Macedonian history, the civilization was organized into tribes that the Greeks considered barbaric. For a short period of time that ended in the 5th century B.C. (B.C.E.), the Persians controlled Macedonia. During the Peloponnesian War, the Macedonians sometimes supported the Athenians, and other times they took the side of the Spartans.

In 359 B.C. (B.C.E.), Philip II took the throne. As the new king of Macedonia, he wanted to control a large empire. Since King Philip saw that the Greeks' defenses were weakened from the Peloponnesian War, he focused his resources on building up an army to prepare for war with them. By 340 B.C. (B.C.E.), King Philip had already conquered much of the area around the Aegean Sea and the Black Sea, therefore, the Greeks considered Macedonia a threat. In 338 B.C. (B.C.E.), the Macedonians fought a group of Greek city-states, including Athens and Thebes, at the Battle of Chaeronea. The Macedonians were victorious. After bringing most of Greece under his control and returning Greece to a monarchy, Philip II aimed for Persia. Before he could conquer Asia and overcome the Persian Empire, King Philip was assassinated by one of his bodyguards in 336 B.C. (B.C.E.). Upon his death, the leadership of Macedonia passed to King Philip's son, Alexander, later coined Alexander the Great, who would become the primary exporter of Greek influence.

 

City-States at War Review - Part 2

Now that you have learned about the Peloponnesian War and the rise of Macedonia, review your knowledge in this interactivity. Click the player button to get started.