Western Civilization I / Unit 3 WC1 0226 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The Peloponnesian War, 431 to 404
Captions available
The idea
Sparta's Peloponnesian League, with Corinth and Thebes, feared Athens. War came in four thirty-one: Sparta supreme on land, Athens at sea, supplied through its walls by ship. For decades Athens lived under near-siege while its fleet raided.
In practice
Long walls to the harbor; later a Spartan garrison in sight of Athens.
Where people slip
Neither side could reach the other's strength. Stalemate, then error.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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