The disease that devastated the Athenians has been a matter of debate . The loss of Pericles from the disease compromised the Athenian war effort and may have led to the defeat of Athens by the Spartans due to a lack of quality leadership . The disease itself remains a moot point .
Melos
The Athenians , only because they came to grief during the Peloponnesian Wars by overestimating their powers to overwhelm Sparta .
As the Peloponnesian War began, Pericles responded to the Spartan invasion by implementing a defensive strategy that emphasized avoiding direct land battles with the superior Spartan army. He encouraged Athenians to retreat within the city walls while relying on their strong navy for protection and to conduct raids along the Peloponnesian coast. Pericles believed that Athens' maritime strength would ultimately wear down Sparta and that the city could withstand a prolonged siege. This approach aimed to preserve Athenian resources and morale during the conflict.
Pericles had guided Athens into a war with the Peloponnesian League which was led by Sparta. He was confident that the walls of Athens and its superior navy, financed by the empire which Athens had created, would prevail. Two years later Pericles died of a plague which engulfed the Athenians penned up in an unhealthy environment within the city walls. Subsequent populist leaders led the people into risky deviations from his plan, and after another disastrous 25 years of war, Athens surrendered and was stripped of its empire, becoming a second class power.
Only for the first couple of years of the 27-year war. He died of the plague which swept through Athens.
In the years that the Spartan alliance invaded and pillaged Attica, the Athenian farmers took refuge inside the walls of the city.
Melos
The Athenians , only because they came to grief during the Peloponnesian Wars by overestimating their powers to overwhelm Sparta .
They did not want to have trouble from their allies.
Direct Democracy
Notably , the main leaders during the Peloponnesian Wars was Pericles leading Athens and Archidamus II of Sparta ~ See related link below .
As the Peloponnesian War began, Pericles responded to the Spartan invasion by implementing a defensive strategy that emphasized avoiding direct land battles with the superior Spartan army. He encouraged Athenians to retreat within the city walls while relying on their strong navy for protection and to conduct raids along the Peloponnesian coast. Pericles believed that Athens' maritime strength would ultimately wear down Sparta and that the city could withstand a prolonged siege. This approach aimed to preserve Athenian resources and morale during the conflict.
Pericles had guided Athens into a war with the Peloponnesian League which was led by Sparta. He was confident that the walls of Athens and its superior navy, financed by the empire which Athens had created, would prevail. Two years later Pericles died of a plague which engulfed the Athenians penned up in an unhealthy environment within the city walls. Subsequent populist leaders led the people into risky deviations from his plan, and after another disastrous 25 years of war, Athens surrendered and was stripped of its empire, becoming a second class power.
Of the plague which swept Athens when the people had to evacuate the countryside and crowd into the city walls.
Pericles was a leader of Athens who was responsible for rebuilding Athens following the Persian Wars. He was also leader of Athens during the Peloponnesian War, but he died of the plague that ravaged the city.
Only for the first couple of years of the 27-year war. He died of the plague which swept through Athens.
Pericles was an important leader of Athens during its Golden Age, particularly in the 5th century BCE. He is renowned for promoting democracy and expanding the Athenian empire, which fostered cultural and artistic advancements, including the construction of the Parthenon. His leadership also emphasized civic participation and the importance of public debate, which laid the foundations for modern democratic principles. Additionally, Pericles' strategies during the Peloponnesian War shaped Athenian society and politics for years to come.