Reasons for Athens' defeat in the Peloponnesian War

The Peloponnesian War broke out, and finally the Peloponnesian League won, ending the classical era of Athens and the democratic era of Greece. So why did Greece lose in the Peloponnesian War?

Reasons for Athens' defeat in the Peloponnesian War

1. Economic reasons: Before the war broke out, Athens had strong economic strength and rich economic resources, which was the economic guarantee for Pericles to win the war. However, Athens' economy has its limitations.

1. Athens is dominated by industry and commerce and has strong external dependence.

2. The national treasury lacks a stable source of income and lacks financial resources in the war.

Second, political reasons:

1. Before the Peloponnesian War, democracy in Athens tended to prosper, but there was a crisis lurking behind the prosperous democracy.

2. The disadvantage of democracy is another important factor leading to the failure of Athens. Pericles said: "Our political system is called democracy, which is true. Because the political power is not in the hands of a few people, but in the hands of the majority. " Major events in Athens are decided by the citizens' assembly, and every citizen has the right to speak at the assembly. In Pericles, citizens' democratic rights are more extensive. In Greek thought, the fundamental principle of democratic politics is equality, which is reflected in political life through drawing lots and taking turns to govern. In this sense, democracy in Athens represents the most democratic political system in human history so far. However, Athenian democracy also had great defects, which were exposed in the war.

Third, military reasons.

In a word, Athens, which was obviously dominated by navy, was finally defeated by Sparta because of repeated delays in fighter planes and mistakes in strategy and tactics.

Fourth, diplomatic reasons.

Athens was helpless because of its immorality, and the contradiction between the allies became increasingly acute. After the failure of the expedition to Sicily, the whole of Greece immediately rose up against Athens. First, the people of Ubisoft and Lesburg, followed by the Kaios and Terry people who are famous for their loyalty to Athens. Losing the support of the allies is equivalent to cutting off the lifeline of Athens. The Athenian League began to disintegrate, and Athens was alone, without support and assistance. Can no longer compete with the Peloponnesian League. This also became a reason for the failure of Athens.

Verb (abbreviation of verb) international reasons

Sparta's economic aid was backed by Persian money and fleet, and Sparta's fleet developed and competed with Athens to win. In addition, the escape of Athenian slaves also had an impact on the war.

The influence of the Peloponnesian War

Before the war, both sides had their own strengths in military technology. One is a typical land country. Although he has strong army strength and land experience, he knows nothing about naval warfare. Not only does it not have its own warship, but it can't even sail in the wind and waves.

One is a typical maritime country, with a large number of technologically advanced warships and rich experience in maritime operations. But Sparta came from behind and was defeated at sea.

In military strategy, the means of both sides emerge one after another. Athens carried out a large number of military immigrants in advance and preserved land, personnel and other equipment, which was a strategic reserve of materials. Sparta, on the other hand, played hard to get, gained the upper hand in public opinion and launched a war under the slogan of democracy and freedom.

As far as strategy is concerned, neither side has put forward a particularly influential war theory. More is the innovation of tactics and tactics.

For example, digging rivers, flooding cities with seawater, burning cities and digging tunnels are all new tactics in this war. During this period, many famous cases appeared. For example, Persia and Athens used cipher communication, but it was deciphered by Spartans.

In addition, due to the decades-long war, on the one hand, soldiers were badly consumed and needed to be replenished, on the other hand, citizens suffered huge losses, and the civil service system in Athens could not be continued, leading to the emergence of professional soldiers.

Finally, Persia is the biggest winner of this war. Only because of its internal reasons, Macedonia finally dominated the region.