History of the Peloponnesian War · Chapter
Book I explained
Thucydides introduces his history of the Peloponnesian War, arguing it will be the greatest war in Greek history.
What happens
Thucydides introduces his history of the Peloponnesian War, arguing it will be the greatest war in Greek history. He recounts the early history of Greece, the rise of Athenian power after the Persian Wars, and the events leading to the war, including the Epidamnus dispute, the Corcyraean conflict, and the siege of Potidaea. The book also features the speeches of the Corinthians and Athenians at Sparta, the Spartan debate and vote for war, and Pericles' war speech in Athens.
Themes in this chapter
Power and Empire
Thucydides traces the growth of Athenian power from the Persian Wars to the eve of the Peloponnesian War, showing how empire-building created fear and resentment among other Greek states.
Democracy vs. Oligarchy
The contrasting political systems of democratic Athens and oligarchic Sparta are highlighted in the speeches and debates, setting the stage for the ideological conflict of the war.
Characters to notice
- Pericles
Appears at the end of Book I, delivering a speech in Athens urging the city to prepare for war and not yield to Spartan demands.
- Archidamus
King of Sparta, speaks in the Spartan assembly advising caution and delay before declaring war on Athens.
- Themistocles
Mentioned in the Archaeology as the Athenian leader who persuaded the Athenians to build walls after the Persian Wars.
- Pausanias
Mentioned as the Spartan regent who commanded the Greek forces at Plataea and later fell from favor.
- Cleon
Mentioned briefly as a demagogue in Athens, though his major role comes later.
Key passages
“The Athenians thus got the walls rebuilt in a short time. The buildings still show signs of the haste with which they were erected.”
The Athenians quickly rebuilt their walls after the Persian Wars, and the construction still shows evidence of the rush.
Describes the rapid fortification of Athens, a key event in the rise of Athenian power.
“The Lacedaemonians voted that the treaty had been broken, and that the war must be declared.”
The Spartans decided that the peace treaty with Athens had been violated and voted to go to war.
The formal Spartan declaration of war, ending the period of uneasy peace.