# Second Congress at Lacedaemon: Preparations for War and Diplomatic Skirmishes explained — History of the Peloponnesian War

> Chapter companion for History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides.

## What happens

The chapter describes the period between the Persian Wars and the Peloponnesian War, during which Athens consolidated its empire while Sparta hesitated. A congress is convened where the Corinthians urge war against Athens, citing Athenian aggression and the need to defend Hellenic freedom. The narrative also recounts the curses of Cylon and Pausanias, and the intrigues of Themistocles, which are used as diplomatic pretexts for conflict.

## Themes in this chapter

### Power and Empire

Athens strengthens its empire while Sparta hesitates, leading to inevitable conflict over dominance.

### Alliance and Betrayal

Pausanias's secret dealings with Persia and the manipulation of religious curses highlight betrayals within and between states.

### Leadership and Strategy

Corinthian speech outlines strategic arguments for war, including naval buildup and exploiting Athenian weaknesses.

## Character check-ins

### Pericles

Mentioned as being connected to the curse of Cylon on his mother's side; his political influence and opposition to Sparta are noted.

### Pausanias

Recalled from command, he later engaged in secret negotiations with the Persian king, aspiring to rule Hellas.

### Themistocles

Referenced in the context of the curse and his later exile and dealings with Persia.

### Cleomenes

Mentioned as driving out the accursed from Athens alongside an Athenian faction.

### Xerxes

Received Pausanias's letter and responded by sending Artabazus to the coast.

### Artabazus

Sent by Xerxes to supersede Megabates and facilitate correspondence with Pausanias.

## Key lines

> All these actions of the Hellenes against each other and the barbarian occurred in the fifty years’ interval between the retreat of Xerxes and the beginning of the present war.

The events leading to the war took place during the fifty-year period after Xerxes' withdrawal and before the current conflict.

_Establishes the chronological framework for the narrative._

> For war of all things proceeds least upon definite rules, but draws principally upon itself for contrivances to meet an emergency; and in such cases the party who faces the struggle and keeps his temper best meets with most security, and he who loses his temper about it with correspondent disaster.

War is unpredictable and requires adaptability; calmness and composure lead to greater safety, while anger invites disaster.

_Corinthian reflection on the nature of war._

> Meanwhile the opinion would be either that we were justly so used, or that we put up with it from cowardice, and were proving degenerate sons in not even securing for ourselves the freedom which our fathers gave to Hellas; and in allowing the establishment in Hellas of a tyrant state, though in individual states we think it our duty to put down sole rulers.

If we submit to Athens, we will be seen as deserving our fate or as cowards, failing to preserve the freedom our ancestors won and tolerating a tyrant state.

_Corinthian appeal to Spartan pride and fear of tyranny._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/v
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters