History of the Peloponnesian War · Chapter
Nineteenth and twentieth years of the war — Revolt of Ionia — Intervention of Persia — The War in Ionia explained
After the catastrophic Athenian defeat in Sicily, Athens is plunged into despair and fear, yet resolves to resist.
What happens
After the catastrophic Athenian defeat in Sicily, Athens is plunged into despair and fear, yet resolves to resist. The Lacedaemonians, emboldened, prepare for a decisive war, while the Athenians work to rebuild their fleet and secure allies. In Ionia, the Athenians engage the Milesians and Peloponnesians, but Phrynichus wisely retreats to avoid a risky battle. The Peloponnesians, with Persian support, capture Iasus and take Amorges. A treaty is made between Sparta and Persia, and the war continues with Chios under siege and the arrival of a new Lacedaemonian fleet.
Themes in this chapter
War and Its Consequences
The chapter vividly depicts the devastating impact of the Sicilian disaster on Athens, including despair, resource scarcity, and the fear of total defeat.
Alliance and Betrayal
The shifting alliances are central: Athens' subjects revolt, Sparta allies with Persia, and internal discord plagues Chios.
Leadership and Strategy
Phrynichus' prudent retreat contrasts with the aggressive plans of others, highlighting different strategic approaches in crisis.
Democracy vs. Oligarchy
The imposition of oligarchy in Chios and the democratic panic in Athens illustrate the political tensions exacerbated by war.
Characters to notice
- Phrynichus
Athenian commander who prudently retreats from Miletus to avoid unnecessary risk, showing strategic sense.
- Alcibiades
Rides to Teichiussa to inform the Peloponnesian fleet of the battle at Miletus and urges them to relieve the city.
- Astyochus
Lacedaemonian admiral who hesitates to aid Chios, later receives the new fleet and commissioners.
- Tissaphernes
Persian satrap who cooperates with the Peloponnesians, captures Amorges, and negotiates the treaty with Sparta.
- Hermocrates
Syracusan leader who urges the Sicilian allies to join the Peloponnesian fleet to finish off Athens.
- Pedaritus
Lacedaemonian commander at Chios who executes the pro-Athenian faction and denounces Astyochus as a traitor.
- Therimenes
Lacedaemonian who brings the Peloponnesian fleet to Miletus and negotiates the treaty with Tissaphernes before being lost at sea.
- Agis
Spartan king who leads winter campaigns, levies contributions, and prepares for the spring offensive.
Key passages
“When the news was brought to Athens, for a long while they disbelieved even the most respectable of the soldiers who had themselves escaped from the scene of action and clearly reported the matter, a destruction so complete not being thought credible.”
The Athenians initially refused to believe the reports of the catastrophic defeat in Sicily, even from trustworthy survivors, because the scale of destruction seemed impossible.
Illustrates the psychological shock and denial following the Sicilian disaster.
“It was no disgrace for an Athenian fleet to retreat when it suited them: put it as they would, it would be more disgraceful to be beaten, and to expose the city not only to disgrace, but to the most serious danger.”
Phrynichus argued that retreating was not shameful; losing a battle would bring greater disgrace and endanger Athens.
Highlights Phrynichus' pragmatic and cautious military philosophy.
“The Lacedaemonians now resolved to throw themselves without reserve into the war, considering that, once it was happily terminated, they would be finally delivered from such dangers as that which would have threatened them from Athens, if she had become mistress of Sicily.”
Sparta decided to commit fully to the war, believing that defeating Athens would remove the threat of Athenian domination over Greece.
Shows Spartan strategic motivation after the Sicilian victory.
