The Landmark Thucydides 2.47 To 2.103

During the summer of the war's second year, Athens was significantly weakened by a plague that ravaged the city. This plague caused a high death toll among the Athenian population, including many soldiers, which weakened their military strength. It also led to a decline in morale and disrupted the city's infrastructure and resources. As a result, Athens faced significant challenges in continuing the war effort and maintaining its position of power.

After facing setbacks in the early part of the war, Athenians blamed Pericles as the cause of their misfortunes. Pericles was a prominent statesman and general who led Athens during the Peloponnesian War. Despite his strategic and diplomatic skills, his aggressive tactics and ambitious plans, such as the construction of the Parthenon and the Long Walls, strained Athens' resources and provoked the Spartans. The Athenians believed that Pericles' decisions and policies were responsible for their hardships and the eventual defeat in the war.

The Peloponnesians had a hard time accepting their defeat in the naval battle off Patrae because they had more than twice as many ships. This suggests that they had a significant advantage in terms of numbers, which would have made them confident of victory. Therefore, their defeat would have been unexpected and difficult to accept.

During the plague in Athens, the people responded by seeking pleasure without regard for honor, law, or the gods. This suggests that in the face of a devastating epidemic, the Athenians abandoned their usual moral and religious values and instead indulged in hedonistic behaviors as a coping mechanism. This response reflects a sense of despair and desperation among the people, as they turned to immediate gratification and disregarded societal norms and beliefs.

The Peloponnesians made the classic military mistake of pursuing too aggressively and leaving themselves open to a counterattack at the naval battle of Naupactus. By being overly aggressive in their pursuit of the Athenian forces, they exposed themselves to vulnerabilities and allowed the Athenians to launch a successful counterattack. This mistake ultimately cost them the battle as they were unable to secure a decisive victory.

The Megarians successfully persuaded the Peloponnesian naval commanders to lead their sailors overland and launch a surprise attack on the port of Athens. This strategy could have potentially ended the war early by capturing Athens and cutting off its main access point for supplies and reinforcements.

Pericles's advice to Athens about the best way to fight the war, according to Thucydides, was to wait out the Spartans, attempt no new conquests, and avoid exposing the city to hazards. This strategy suggests that Pericles believed in a defensive approach, focusing on preserving Athens' strength and resources rather than engaging in risky offensive actions. By avoiding unnecessary battles and conquests, Pericles aimed to maintain the city's stability and wait for an opportunity to gain an advantage over the Spartans.

The Spartan King Archidamus required the Plataeans to remain neutral in order to call off the invasion of Plataea. This means that the Plataeans were not to take sides or support either Sparta or Athens in the war. By remaining neutral, the Plataeans would not pose a threat or provide assistance to either side, thus satisfying Archidamus' condition for ending the invasion.

The surprise Peloponnesian attack on the Piraeus failed because the Peloponnesians lost their nerve and decided to attack Salamis instead. This suggests that they were intimidated or scared by the situation and made a hasty decision to change their target.

Phormio led the expedition to Acarnania in the winter to ensure the region's loyalties remained with Athens. By establishing a base in the northern region, Athens could maintain control over Acarnania and prevent them from aligning with Sparta. This strategic move would secure Athens' influence and power in the area, strengthening their position in the ongoing conflict with Sparta and the Peloponnesian League.

A large naval force was sent out by Pericles, but it attacked Epidaurus, Troezen, Halieis, Mermione, and Prasiae, all cities on the eastern coast of the Peloponnesus. Sparta was not vulnerable to naval attack and Corinth was on the other side of the isthmus.

The two-year siege cost more than three times the annual tribute contributed to Athens by its allies. The amount of silver spent on the siege is worth $30 million today.