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Overall Summary
The Peloponnesian War was a war between the Delian League (Athens and its allies) and the Peloponnesian League (Sparta and its allies). It took place from 431-404 BC. Thucydides, who wrote about this war in his book “The History of the Peloponnesian War”, is considered one of history’s greatest authors. He died before he could finish writing his book.
Thucydides’ work is complex and has been debated by scholars for years. Some things are unclear, but the book gives us a good idea of what happened in history. This version of the text was translated by Rex Warner.
Scholars don’t agree on when the eight books that make up The History of the Peloponnesian War were written. Some think they were composed over a period of time, while others believe they were compiled after the war was over in 404 BC. Though some of them may have been unfinished drafts, book 8 appears to be more disorganized and may have been a collection of notes.
Scholars have developed a system of numbering to help read the text. Each book has sections, which are called chapters. The translator includes subheadings in order to make it easier for readers to study the text.
Book 1 is the longest in history and covers the broadest scope of time. Thucydides introduces himself and his method, as well as provides an overview of Hellenic people across time, as well as a specific look at why Sparta started war with Athens after defeating Persia. He describes three key disputes among allies of both states, but believes that fear was the reason for starting war between them. Book 1 ends with Sparta voting to declare war on Athens.
Book 2 begins with Thebes invading Plataea, and Athens defends it. Battles occur between the allied states of Hellas, but Sparta is still stronger on land than at sea. A plague devastates Athens and takes the life of its leader Pericles.
Book 3 concerns events of the fourth through sixth years of the war. Athens subdues a revolt in one of its allied cities, Mytilene, on the Aegean island of Lesbos. The Athenians debate how to punish survivors and initially decide that they will punish guilty and innocent people alike. However, after an impassioned debate in the assembly, they change their minds about punishing everyone equally. Besieged Plataea suffers famine and is forced to surrender to Sparta while civil war breaks out in Corcyra between democratic and oligarchic factions (factions run by wealthy elites). Athens sends ships to Sicily while Sparta cancels a planned invasion because earthquakes have hit Laconia (Sparta’s territory).
Book 4 takes place after the seventh through ninth years of the war and shows Athens achieving victory at Pylos and Sphacteria. As a result, the Spartans are forced to seek peace with Athens. Cleon argues that they should demand land back from their previous war with Sparta, which ultimately breaks down any chance for a truce between them. Sicily’s fractured states hold a conference to discuss how they can protect themselves from Athenian aggression, but Brasidas incites revolts among their allies in Boeotia (who defeat Athens at Delium). The Spartans establish an uneasy one-year truce with Athens that promptly breaks down when Sparta captures Delium (which is captured by Brasidas).
Book 5 covers a longer span of the war than Books 1 through 4, which cover just 10 years. In it, Thucydides recounts two significant battles: one at Amphipolis and another at Mantinea. The Spartans are victorious in both battles. Afterward, Athens and Sparta seek peace by signing the Peace of Nicias. However, as they do so, Argos (the city-state that’s most powerful after Sparta and Athens) tries to become more influential in Greece by gaining allies among other city-states like Athens and Sparta while also trying to weaken those cities’ alliances with each other. Some Athenians even try to get neutral Melos (another city-state) into their alliance but when it refuses they attack it anyway despite being against Greek law for doing so. Despite these events occurring during Book 5, political maneuvering continues between all sides as well as military action throughout this book.
