... The main reason for the Spartan victory, according to Thucydides, is shown in the ultimate viability of each polis' leader's strategies and projections before the conflict. Prior to any fighting, Pericles of Athens and Archidamus of Sparta (with the aid of Spartan allies) devised net assessments that both believed would provide strategies leading to victory and peace for their respective states ... , which can equally well be wise and sensible'- (The Peloponnesian War, p. 84). Athenian Strategy Much of Athens' unwillingness to compromise with Spartan diplomatic efforts stemmed from the su...

• Word Count: 2575
• Approx Pages: 10
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... the same time, the mighty Athenian Navy would both conduct offensive raids on Spartan coastal assets and bring in supplies at the port at Piraeus. Pericles explained that if the Athenians would remain quiet, take care of their fleet, refrain from trying to extend their empire in wartime and thus ... would bring on the people. The author and historian Donald Kagan expanded on this point. First, he noted that the plan lacked credibility. Pericles asked Athenians to passively hide behind the walls and watch the Spartan Army level their farms and homes. He asked them to tolerate the insults...

• Word Count: 1765
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... as the elite. The Spartan army emerged as a highly disciplined and closely co-coordinated battle army.1 Sparta was by far the most powerful and important state in Greece at the conclusion of the Peloponnesian War and she maintained this position for more than a quarter of a century, until her defeat at the battle of Leuctura in 371.2 Sparta's" armies were fearless and ... can credited to the phalanx and the hoplite. It is probably true to say that the Spartan heavy-armed hoplite was the most formidable soldier of the ancient world1. The Pericles and the Athenians knew this and never ris...

• Word Count: 1610
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School