History of the Peloponnesian War · Chapter
VII explained
The second year of the war begins with the Peloponnesian invasion of Attica under King Archidamus, followed by the devastating outbreak of the plague in Athens.
What happens
The second year of the war begins with the Peloponnesian invasion of Attica under King Archidamus, followed by the devastating outbreak of the plague in Athens. Thucydides provides a detailed clinical account of the plague's symptoms and effects. The chapter also covers the fall of Potidaea after a long siege, the execution of Aristeus and other Peloponnesian envoys by the Athenians, the campaign of the Ambraciots against Amphilochian Argos, and the Athenian naval operations under Phormio and Melesander.
Themes in this chapter
War and Its Consequences
The plague, the siege of Potidaea, and the execution of envoys all demonstrate the devastating human and moral costs of war.
Human Nature and Morality
Thucydides' detailed description of the plague reveals how extreme suffering erodes social norms, religious practices, and compassion.
Leadership and Strategy
Pericles' policy during the plague, Phormio's naval positioning, and the Athenian generals' decision to capitulate at Potidaea highlight strategic choices under duress.
Characters to notice
- Archidamus
Leads the Peloponnesian invasion of Attica at the start of the second year of the war.
- Phormio
Sent by the Athenians to Naupactus with twenty ships to guard against Peloponnesian movements.
- Pericles
Mentioned in the chapter heading; his position and policy are referenced in the context of the plague and war strategy.
- Aristaeus
The Corinthian captured and executed by the Athenians along with other envoys for his role in Potidaean affairs.
- Sitalces
King of Thrace; his son Sadocus, an Athenian citizen, helps intercept Peloponnesian envoys.
- Melesander
Athenian commander sent to Caria and Lycia to collect tribute; defeated and killed in battle.
Key passages
“other horrors, instances had even occurred of the people having eaten one another. So in this extremity they at last made proposals for capitulating to the Athenian generals in command against them”
The Potidaeans, driven to starvation and even cannibalism, finally sought to surrender to the Athenian commanders.
Describes the desperate conditions leading to the fall of Potidaea.
“It first began, it is said, in the parts of Ethiopia above Egypt, and thence descended into Egypt and Libya and into most of the king’s country. Suddenly falling upon Athens, it first attacked the population in Piraeus”
The plague reportedly originated in Ethiopia, spread through Egypt and Libya, and then struck Athens, beginning in the port of Piraeus.
Thucydides traces the geographic origin and initial outbreak of the plague.
“the Athenians, afraid that Aristeus, who had been notably the prime mover in the previous affairs of Potidaea and their Thracian possessions, might live to do them still more mischief if he escaped, slew them all the same day, without giving them a trial or hearing the defence which they wished to offer”
Fearing Aristeus would cause further harm, the Athenians executed him and his companions immediately, denying them a trial or the chance to speak in their defense.
Illustrates the Athenians' ruthless retaliation and disregard for legal procedure.