Ep 9: The Road to the First Peloponnesian War

Hello and welcome to another edition of A History of the World, According to War newsletter! Today, we delve into the tumultuous world of ancient Greece, bridging the gap between the conclusion of the Greco-Persian wars and the precipice of the First Peloponnesian War. This period is laden with historical significance, filled with political tension, diplomatic intrigue, and rising military power.

As we wave goodbye to the Greco-Persian wars, we find ourselves entering the Golden Age of Athens. This era, led by the statesman Pericles, was a time of remarkable artistic, cultural, and intellectual achievement. Famed structures like the Parthenon came into existence and influential philosophers such as Socrates began their intellectual journey.

However, peace didn't reign supreme in this Golden Age. The political landscape of Greece was transforming. In the wake of the Persian wars, Athens created the Delian League - a confederation of Greek city-states - with the primary purpose of defending Greece from future Persian invasions.

But Athens, with its powerful navy, gradually transformed the Delian League into an Athenian empire, imposing its influence over other member states. The League's treasury was moved from Delos to Athens, signifying the city's dominance. The first major resistance to Athenian control came from the island of Naxos, which attempted to secede from the league. However, Athens quelled the rebellion, cementing its control over the League.

Parallel to this, Sparta led the formation of the Peloponnesian League, a loose confederation of city-states in the Peloponnese. The creation of these two leagues, both holding significant military power, set the stage for increasing tension and future conflicts.

Tensions came to a head over a dispute involving the city of Corcyra (modern-day Corfu) and its mother-city, Corinth. Corinth was a member of the Peloponnesian League, and Corcyra was a strategically valuable naval base, being one of the few city-states that had a fleet to rival Athens'. This naval conflict, known as the Battle of Sybota, was a significant prelude to the Peloponnesian War. It revealed a growing divide between the two leading Greek powers - Athens and Sparta.

In the backdrop of these escalating tensions, the Athenians openly supported a revolt against Sparta, further straining their already fragile relations. The intricate dance of alliances and rivalries was reaching a boiling point, leading to the outbreak of what we now call the First Peloponnesian War.

In our next podcast episode, we will dive into the nitty-gritty of the First Peloponnesian War. The power dynamics, key battles, strategies, and their consequences will be under the spotlight. Until then, we hope this glimpse into the complex history leading up to the war piques your interest and prepares you for what's to come.

Stay tuned, and as always, keep exploring history with us!

Best regards,

Brett & Victor