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The Peloponnesian War summary
Donald Kagan
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30 mins
Brief summary
"The Peloponnesian War" by Donald Kagan is a comprehensive and engaging history of the 27-year-long conflict between Athens and Sparta in ancient Greece. Kagan explores the political, social, and military factors that contributed to the war's outbreak and its disastrous consequences for both sides.
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The Peloponnesian War
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Sparta and Athens had an uneasy rivalry leading up to the Peloponnesian War.
To understand how neighbors could turn against neighbors in a decades-long war, we first need to understand a bit of history between Athens and Sparta.
The Peloponnesian War started around 431 BC. Less than 30 years had passed since the end of the Persian Wars, which had seen Athens and Sparta united against Persia in a war that lasted around 50 years. Since then, Athens and Sparta had each enjoyed a period of relative peace.
Athens flourished and created a maritime empire. It controlled the Delian League, an alliance of 150 city-states, situated largely around the Aegean Sea. The alliance maintained a steady trade of food, supplies, and material. But this success didn’t sit well with Sparta, which headed its own alliance of city-states, known as the Peloponnesian League.
The key message here is: Sparta and Athens had an uneasy rivalry leading up to the Peloponnesian War.
While Athens had a functioning democracy, Spartan politics was something of a mixed bag, with democratic, oligarchic, and monarchic mixed together. Sparta had two kings, but they also had elected magistrates known as ephors, and an assembly of men over 30 who voted on foreign and domestic policy. But voting only took place when the Spartan elites called for it.
Another major difference between Athens and Sparta was their societal structure. In Athens, all citizens were considered equal, but Sparta had a strict hierarchy with two different types of subordinate people: helots and perioikoi. Helots were a step above slaves and were responsible for farming. The perioikoi were responsible for manufacturing and trade.
Above all, Sparta was focused on its legendary military. And due to the helots and the perioikoi, the Spartans themselves were free to train for battle. But since the helots outnumbered Spartans around seven to one, there was always the threat of a helot uprising, especially when the army was on a military campaign. So, Sparta wasn’t exactly eager to engage in any massive, prolonged wars.
And neither was Athens, for that matter. Nonetheless, there were serious concerns in Sparta that Athens and the Delian League were becoming too powerful – that Athens’s imperial ambitions had gotten out of hand. In 431 BC, this feeling would reach its tipping point.
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What is The Peloponnesian War about?
The Peloponnesian War (2003) tells the fascinating tale of a decades-long conflict among Greeks that would forever change how battles were fought and wars were won. It took warfare away from organized battlefields and put the strength of naval forces at the forefront. It also turned allies into enemies and became a struggle between democracy and oligarchy.
The Peloponnesian War Review
The Peloponnesian War (2003) by Donald Kagan is an insightful exploration of one of the most significant conflicts in ancient Greek history. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- With meticulous research and thorough analysis, it provides a comprehensive account of the war from various perspectives, shedding light on its political, social, and cultural implications.
- Kagan skillfully examines the motives, strategies, and consequences of the war, revealing a complex interplay of power, rivalry, and human nature that remains relevant today.
- The book goes beyond mere historical narrative, offering insights into the human condition and the timeless tensions between conflict and cooperation, making it engaging and thought-provoking.
Best quote from The Peloponnesian War
The original crisis, a small cloud in the blue sky . . . now threatened to reach a more dangerous level . . .
—Donald Kagan
Who should read The Peloponnesian War?
- History buffs
- Anyone interested in the history of warfare
- People who want a refresher on classical antiquity
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The Peloponnesian War FAQs
What is the main message of The Peloponnesian War?
The main message of The Peloponnesian War is the causes and consequences of the war between Athens and Sparta.
How long does it take to read The Peloponnesian War?
The reading time for The Peloponnesian War varies depending on the reader, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The Peloponnesian War a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Peloponnesian War is a must-read for history enthusiasts. It provides valuable insights into ancient Greece and the impact of the war on society.
Who is the author of The Peloponnesian War?
The author of The Peloponnesian War is Donald Kagan.
What to read after The Peloponnesian War?
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