Casting Through Ancient Greece
Casting Through Ancient Greece
92: Birth of the Argive League
Have you ever wondered how ancient empires managed the delicate dance of diplomacy and warfare? In this gripping episode, we unravel the complex strategies and political chess moves of the Peloponnesian War, spotlighting the pivotal period following 424 BC. Witness the dramatic rise and fall of Athens and Sparta as we dissect significant events like the Spartan defeats at Pylos and Sphacteria and Athens' bold military ventures. We also examine how setbacks at Megara and Delium fueled Sparta's resolve, leading to urgent peace negotiations. With a special focus on the cunning Spartan general Brasidas and his diplomatic ingenuity in Thrace, we unpack how his actions led to the revolt of key cities against Athens, culminating in the battle at Amphipolis and the fragile Peace of Nicias in 421 BC.
But the story doesn't end with the signing of a treaty. Journey through the tangled web of alliances and political intrigue as cities like Corinth and Elis contemplate breaking free from Spartan dominance by joining the Argive League. We explore the strategic calculations and shifting allegiances that marked this era, including the influence of differing governmental systems on these decisions. As tensions rise, experience the secret negotiations and alliance formations that unfolded between Athens and Sparta, highlighting the undercurrents of distrust and preparation for renewed hostilities. This episode provides a rare glimpse into the fragile power dynamics and the precarious balance of peace during one of history's most tumultuous times.
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The Argives therefore prepared to receive into their alliance any Hellenic state that wished to join. The first to come over to them were the Mantineans and their allies, through fear of Sparta Thucydides. Hello, I'm Mark Selick and welcome back to Casting through Ancient Greece, episode 92, birth of the Argive League. We saw, with the year of 424 BC, a series of actions had taken place that would see the confidence of both Sparta and Athens fluctuate. Sparta had lost their fleet and over 120 Spartites after the defeat at Pylos and Sphacteria, while Athens would then follow up their success with further raids on the Peloponnese and the construction of forts within Spartan territory. This had seen Athens appear to hold a strategic advantage over Sparta, while Sparta would seem to retreat inward and remain on the defensive and become reactionary. However, athens, with this success, may have become overconfident and pushed for ambitious campaigns late in the season. The first would be targeted at Megara, but, due to a small Spartan army being in the and the leadership of the Spartan general Brasidas, the Athenians would be defeated and prevented from bending Megara to their will. The next campaign would be even more complicated, with it directed to be focused on two separate areas in Boeotia. Simultaneously, however, there would be issues of unreliable allies, as well as communication and coordination problems. All of this would lead to the Athenians' worst defeat of the war so far, at Delium. These Athenian setbacks would see some resolve reinserted back into the Spartans, while Athens would come back down to reality. This would then see both look to negotiate a truce, where they would then hope to see an end to the war agreed upon. However, these negotiations would continue on for some time and campaigning would continue.
Speaker 1:Sparta now looked to avoid invading Attic territory due to their citizens being held hostage. Instead, the force that Brasidas had been commanding at the time of the Athenian attack on Megara marched north into Thracian territory. Here, brasidas looked to wage a campaign against Athens, indirectly focusing on resources and trade routes. Brasidas looked to wage a campaign against Athens, indirectly focusing on resources and trade routes. Brasidas' approach was unorthodox for a Spartan, where he was able to win over many cities through diplomacy and fair treatment. This would end up seeing many in the region revolt from Athens, including the strategically placed city of Amphipolis. However, during Brasidas' campaign, a truce would end up being signed between Sparta and Athens. Brasidas would claim ignorance and continue to take advantage of the momentum he had built. Athens would respond, angered by this disregard of the terms, sending a fleet to bring the rebellious cities under control and stop Brasidas, though this initial force would end up being bogged down in the siege of Zicone. This initial force would end up being bogged down in the siege of Zicone.
Speaker 1:Another force under the command of Cleon would be sent out the next year where, it appears, amphipolis was his main target. After some initial successes, cleon would arrive at Aeon, not far from Amphipolis, to establish camp where preparations would be made for the city to be besieged. While these preparations were underway, cleon set out with a force to gain some intelligence on the Spartan position at Amphipolis. Brassidus would become aware of the Athenian movements and then prepared his force to have them fall into his trap. These preparations would see Cleon withdraw from his position, but this would see the Athenians have to march by the walls of Amphipolis. The Spartans would sally out of the walls from a direction Cleon was not expecting, while another force would come and attack them from the rear. The battle outside Amphipolis would see the Athenians rout, though both Cleon and Brasidas would be killed during the action.
Speaker 1:The situation in Thrace would see both sides lose any momentum they had, and both Sparta and Athens were motivated more than ever to seek a peace settlement. Talks would continue into 421 BC where, on the eve of the campaigning season, a settlement would be reached. This would see a peace signed on, both sides agreeing for a pause in the conflict and a return to the pre-war status quo, with both sides agreeing to return captured territories and prisoners of war. Key allies on both sides were required to join the agreement, though some, like the Boeotians and Corinthians, refused to comply. Despite its ambitious terms, the peace was tenuous and would last only six years, undermined by ongoing skirmishes, shifting alliances and growing distrust between the two city-states.
Speaker 1:For this episode, we are going to focus on some of the allies of both Athens and Sparta directly after the signing of the Peace of Nicias, where we will see the beginning of its unravelling. As we have seen, both Athens and Sparta had been working on negotiating some form of peace since 424 BC. However, nothing had been forthcoming during these three years. This had probably come down to the position both were in during different periods in this time, the perceived advantages or weaknesses having a bearing on what concessions would be accepted or rejected. For instance, after the devastating defeat at Sphacteria, sparta had gone from a position of approximate equal strength to Athens to one of their lowest points of the war so far. Talks had begun shortly after and although numerous delegations were being sent, nothing could be agreed upon.
Speaker 1:It appears Athens felt they were negotiating from a position of power and were looking to gain a peace to their advantage. They would see them come to dominate the smaller powers of Greece, though the Spartans would continue to resist the terms that would see Athens elevated in this way. Further actions around the Peloponnese would see Athens reinforced in their views of their dominance, where they began setting forts up around Spartan-controlled territory and where it seemed Sparta could do little but react with just token resistance. This would see that it appeared that the Athenians had become closed off to any concessions the Spartans were seeking. However, athens' perceived dominance would take a hit later in the year when they looked to push the dominance further, targeting Sparta's allies. This is where Athens would suffer defeats and even the biggest loss in the battle so far For the negotiations. This would see Sparta seek even more concessions now that a crack in Athens' advantage in Greece had been exposed. Sparta had even sent an expedition under Brasidas to target Athenian interests up in Thrace to show the Athenians. They were not untouchable.
Speaker 1:These developments appear to now show Athens was more inclined to move on some requests made by Sparta where a truce between the two would be signed. This truce had the intention of seeing a longer lasting peace established. However, the actions of Prasidus had seen this opportunity almost wasted away. After the Athenian defeated Amphipolis, the death of Prasidus and Cleon, both sides would go back to negotiating a larger peace. And Cleon, both sides would go back to negotiating a larger peace. Athens was still in a powerful position, with its navy free to do as it wished, though the citizens were becoming severely war-weary after the constant trials they had to endure. Sparta, although victorious at Amphipolis, was now in a position where they were no longer in a position to campaign. They were unable to feed reinforcements into the region, and the Spartan government had overridden Brasadus' strategy, seeing the relationships it had made with the Thracian cities harmed. This had effectively seen the one region Sparta could attack Athens through now closed off to them. It was in this environment that the Peace of Nicias would be established.
Speaker 1:However, as we discussed last episode, the terms that both had arrived at would see the allies on both sides extremely dissatisfied, as has been evident in the series. So far, the city-states of Greece, when it comes down to it, were operating their policies based off their self-interests, like countries do in our modern times. For many, the leagues that had been created were seen as assisting in these interests, or for others, it was seen as something that had to be tolerated in the face of larger powers. However, with these outlooks, any change in the diplomatic and political systems could see these subject city-states re-evaluate their positions. The peace of Nicias and its complete disregard of Sparta's and Athens' allies would see this as a moment where many would look to move in ways better served to their interests, including some of Sparta's largest allies.
Speaker 1:Corinth had been the largest and one of the most enthusiastic allies of Sparta and had been the power that saw the tensions against Athens go from tense to completely hostile, bringing the opening of hostilities. Athens go from tense to completely hostile, bringing the opening of hostilities. The Peace of Nicias had left the Corinthians outraged with the terms of the peace. Seeing Athens remain in control over territories, they saw that they had claims to For Corinth. They saw the peace as a means of pushing for the enslavement of the Peloponnese. With Athens and Sparta in alliance, they would not be strong enough to challenge any moves that would see this a reality.
Speaker 1:The Corinthians now looked to see a new league established, one that could stand against the major powers. To do this, corinthian delegates would travel to Argos, the next largest power on the Peloponnese and one that had a history with Sparta. One would imagine it wouldn't be too difficult to play on Argos' paranoia and fears of Sparta to move defensively against them. Thucydides records the opening of the talks that were made there. The Corinthians first turned aside to Argos and opened negotiations with some of the men in office there, pointing out that Sparta could have no good end in view but only the subjugation of the Peloponnese or she would have never entered into a treaty and alliance with the once detested Athenians, and that the duty of consulting for the safety of the Peloponnese had now fallen upon Argos, who should immediately pass a decree inviting any Hellenic state that chose to make a defensive alliance with the Argives. After the Corinthian delegation had put forward their argument and left back to Corinth, the men who had been present took the proposal back to the Argive government to be discussed. The following discussions within the government and proposals put forward to the people of Argos would see the motion passed in favour of the Corinthians' suggestion. Argos would now establish a board of twelve men who had the responsibility of negotiating any alliances with cities that wished to join, apart from the Athenians and Spartans.
Speaker 1:Thucydides tells us that Argos did not need all that much convincing from Corinth, perhaps just needing validation and the knowledge that there were many cities fearful of the big powers. They had been of the view that war with Sparta was inevitable, and now was the best time to see it develop. The treaty they had in place with Sparta was about to expire and Argos had always had designs on spreading their influence through the Peloponnese. Sparta was at its lowest point in many years, while Argos, having been in a neutral state in the war, had flourished and seen its population thrive. The first cities to come to seek an alliance with Argos and see the establishment of the League was that of the Menteneans and their own allies. Part of their motivation was fear of Sparta, as during the Peloponnesian War so far, they had profited largely by subjugating many smaller villages and cities around Arcadia. Now that Sparta was not focused on Athens, they thought that they would now turn their attention to the conquests that the Mentinaeans had made and the influence in Arcadia they had established. This move by Mentantinea and their allies would now see many other city-states in the Peloponnese begin serious talks within their own governments as how they should act. Many saw that the Mantineans wouldn't have defected without good reason and perhaps had more of a picture of Sparta's intentions in the region. This would see that many more were now in favour of seeking to protect their independence through the protection of a different alliance.
Speaker 1:Sparta had known that the Corinthians were not at all pleased with the terms that had been arranged with the Athenians. They had tried to argue in Athens that certain provisions be renegotiated so that Corinth's interests would also be taken into account, Though they also still had a deep distrust of Athens, and one gets the impression they were not at a point where they were ready to see peace come about. However, sparta had dismissed Corinth along with the other Peloponnesian League members that had come seeking an alteration in the terms. It would seem likely that Sparta would have been paying attention to the political goings-on in other various city-states, as if they had basically sent them all away without any compromise, an action, surely, that would see resentment build. Word would end up back in Sparta that Corinth had been in talks with Argos over a new alliance and potential league of city-states outside Sparta and Athens' control. This would see Sparta berate the Corinthians, accusing them of being instigators of this new league, an action that could see the new peace destabilized.
Speaker 1:The Corinthians were also reminded that they were in a breach of the oaths that they had made when becoming part of the Peloponnesian League. They were to have the same allies and enemies as Sparta and were to abide by the decisions of the Peloponnesian League. Spartan ambassadors had attended Corinth to seek an answer to the charges, along with other city-states that had opposed the peace terms. We have seen that the main motivator in these city-states opposing the terms boiled down to their own interests. However, corinth would keep this to themselves for now and instead highlighted other reasons that showed that they had obligations outside of their control. They would point to oaths they had made with Potidaea and their friends in the Chalcidides, who were still under Athenian control. If they were to accept the peace of Michaeus, then they would be in breach of these oaths and risk offending the gods that these oaths were made under. They also pulled up Sparta on a technicality in reference to not accepting the decision handed down by the Peloponnesian League, a provision existed that stated that these decisions arrived at by the League were overarching unless the gods and heroes stand in their way, this Corinth pointed to, since these oaths made with the others would see them having abandoned their oaths to certain gods. These were the arguments Corinth made in reference to rejecting the peace of Nicias.
Speaker 1:As for the league under Argos, the representatives said that they would confer with their friends and do what was right With this. The Spartan envoys would head home, while others from Argos, who were also in Corinth at the time, attempted to urge Corinth to make the alliance with them at once, while others from Argos, who were also in Corinth at the time, attempted to urge Corinth to make the alliance with them at once. However, their response would be to attend the next congress in the city, where they would be in a better position to make their next move. It seems Corinth now, knowing Sparta was aware of their dealings, needed to weigh up the risks and benefits to pursue this course of action, while Sparta's reaction to their arguments over the oaths and rejection of the terms of the peace of Nicias would also have an impact on the direction that they would push for After the Spartan delegation had left.
Speaker 1:One from Elis showed up in Corinth to discuss the details of an alliance. They quickly concluded one with Corinth, who then advised them to continue on to Argos to make arrangements to join the new Argive League. The Aelians also had their motivations for shifting away from Sparta. They had, before the Peloponnesian War, been called into a war by the Lepreims, who were fighting some Akkadian cities. In return, the Lepreims offered half their lands to Elis, though upon the end of the war Elis allowed them to retain these lands but in return asked for one talent of tribute. Though after years of paying this tribute, leprium decided the breakout of the Peloponnesian War was a good excuse to stop paying, the matter was put to Sparta for arbitration, since both were part of the Peloponnesian League. Though Ellis quickly saw the fairness of proceedings questionable, they decided to turn to force to regain the tribute payments. But Sparta put its support behind Leprium During the last few years. Ellis really had no choice but to remain a Peloponnesian League member.
Speaker 1:However, with other powerful Peloponnesian cities breaking away, it now appeared there was another option. Elis, while in Argos, would be one of the first cities to conclude an agreement with Argos, seeing the new league officially come into being. This step would see Corinth, who had wanted to turn to discussions internally on how best to proceed now, also threw their lot in with the new Argive League. In turn, they would also bring with them a number of Chalcidian cities within Thrace. As you may remember, many of these cities had just gone through a couple of years of war with Athens and Sparta. In their lands, many had been under Athenian control and initially were enthusiastic about the Spartan presence, though after the death of Brasidas it quickly became apparent both Spartan and Athenian control were just as bad as each other.
Speaker 1:The formation of a new league saw that there was the possibility of becoming free cities once again. However, some other powerful cities of the Peloponnesian League, those in Boeotia and the Megarians, remained on the fence. A couple of factors saw that they did not want to act and abandon Sparta, taking a risk they could potentially see further destabilisation to their cities. Firstly, sparta had left both alone, giving them no reason to go seeking an alliance elsewhere. Sparta had basically allowed them to do as they pleased for now. Also, both the Boeotians and Megara had systems of government that differed from those entering the League in Argos, these cities having some form of democratic system in place, while their oligarchic systems were more similar to that of what Sparta had in place. They saw that this difference in governing systems could also see extra problems created if they were to enter into this new league.
Speaker 1:With the Argive League now formed and gaining new members, both Corinth and Argos saw that if other city-states could be convinced to break from Sparta, their league could now become more powerful than the Peloponnesian League. Both sent delegations to Tegir as, as they thought, if a city of their standing could be convinced to come across, then surely many more of the Peloponnesians would follow. Thucydides gives us the impression. The Corinthians were very confident and zealous in their actions at this stage, though when wrapping up talks in Tigea, this mood had changed. The Tigeans had basically come right out saying they were not going to act against Sparta. With this, we are told, the Corinthians relaxed their confident campaign of recruiting allies, somewhat worried now that the growth of the League may stall. However, this rejection did not deter them from visiting the Boeotians to see if they could convince them to get off the fence and perhaps put their worries of differing political systems at ease, though their arguments over joining the alliances were still rejected.
Speaker 1:The Corinthians had also asked for their help with the Athenians. It appears here the aim was to trick the Boeotians into having to enter the new league. In their discussions, they had asked the Boeotians to come to Athens with them to help negotiate a ten days truce that the Boeotians had also just received. The Corinthians had asked that if the Athenians had rejected this request, the Boeotians should renounce their agreement with Athens. The Boeotians agreed to travel with the Corinthians to Athens, where the request was basically rejected, with the Athenians' response being the Corinthians already had a truce being allies of Sparta. Obviously, corinth was breaking away from the Spartans and attempting to establish a new centre of power. Athens appears to have been playing with the Corinthians, telling them that they had nothing to worry about being allies of Sparta, but if not, they were on their own. With this rejection, corinth also became angry with the Boeotians, as they did not renounce their agreement with Athens. It appears the Boeotians had not agreed to all the demands made by Corinth, but did provide help when dealing with Athens. However, they were not going to tie down their own diplomatic outcomes to a city they were wary of entering an alliance with.
Speaker 1:While these diplomatic manoeuvrings were going on, other events in and around Greece were still taking place. Up in Thrace, the Athenians were still present and had just now reduced Sikone after having laid siege to the city for some two years. As per the declarations made back before the siege began, the adult men were put to death, the women and children were enslaved and the land was handed over to the Plataeans to resettle. However, also up in Thrace, amphipolis remained hostile to Athens. We saw that the Spartans were supposed to have handed the city back over to Athens, but the people of the city did not want Athenian control back. Sparta, after having signed the peace, seems to have moved out of Amphipolis, though it wasn't back in Athenian hands. This would remain a sticking point for Athens as, although Sparta abandoned the city, it had not been handed over to reflect its pre-war standing. At this current point, if Athens wanted control of the city, they would need to mount a military operation against it With it. Very likely it would require the same effort and resources. Their attack on Potidaea had the previous year around, when Cleon had been setting out on his campaign to Thrace.
Speaker 1:The Athenians had expelled the Delians from the island of Delos, this being the site that had seen the initial home of the treasury and what had given the league Athens led its name, the Delian League. Supposedly, the inhabitants are meant to have polluted the island in some manner. As charged by the Athenians. Pollution in this context is due to some activity that had religious repercussions. For this act, the Athenians had removed the Delians and settled them elsewhere. However, it is most likely this expulsion was part of a broader effort by Athens to tighten control over the island, as Delos was a vital religious and commercial hub in the Athenian Empire. Though now, in 421, we hear of the Delians being brought back to Delos to make their homes once again, this was probably done as part of the reconciliation efforts that came down as part of the Peace of Nicias. While Athens' own religious conscience may have come into play, where it may have been seen as overly harsh, prompting the Athenians to reverse their decision to restore piety in divine favour, while we would also hear that the traditional rivals Phocis and Locrus would once again resume hostilities. They were both just south of Thessaly and both had interests with the region of Delphi, with just the Parnassus Mountains separating them. In this part, sparta and Athens had intervened on either side, but with the peace in place, it would appear they were on their own.
Speaker 1:For now, with the establishment of the Argive League, sparta now looked to take the offensive on the Peloponnese. To put the pressure on those moving towards this new league, plastinax would march out with the full complement of the Spartan army into Arcadia, with their focus being placed on Parasia, a region that Mantinea had captured during the Peloponnesian War. The idea here by prying Parasia away, sparta could weaken Mantinea's territorial and political base, undermining its ability to act as a leader within the Argive League. This would also have the effect of increasing Spartan influence into the region and making it harder for Mantinea to continue its activity in Arcadia. The Argive League would respond to Sparta's actions by sending a force to Mantinea itself, but would not advance into the threatened area. It was left to the Mantineans to fight in vain, as the target would be returned to its original inhabitants. The Spartans would destroy the Mantineans' forts and then withdrew, where then another Spartan force was sent to the region between Elis and Messenia. By taking decisive military action against Mantinea and Elis, sparta sent a clear message to other Peloponnesian cities considering defection to the Argive League.
Speaker 1:The campaign demonstrated that Sparta would respond swiftly and forcefully to any challenge to its authority, while Sparta's immediate actions were limited to regional skirmishes and smaller campaigns in 421. While Sparta's immediate actions were limited to regional skirmishes and smaller campaigns in 421, these moves laid the groundwork for the eventual Battle of Mantinea that would take place in 418. However, sparta had also a series of internal problems they needed to address. A number of these had been developing over the course of the war and that we have looked at previously, but with the peace in place, they could potentially address these more effectively. However, in 421, these would again be highlighted when the army that Parasitus had led in Thracian lands returned home.
Speaker 1:Some 700 of these men were helots and had been promised their freedom for their service. While the military service under Brasidas demonstrated the utility of helots as soldiers and auxiliaries, their freedom and integration challenged the rigid social hierarchy that underpinned Sparta's dominance. However, it appears this measure of employing helots as soldiers in return for their freedom highlighted the demographic decline that had been taking place over the years, which was also fed by an economic decline. Another event that was to highlight internal problems was the return of the 120 Spartiites and other soldiers captured by the Athenians at the Battle of Sphacteria in 425. The surrender of these elite warriors long considered the height of Sparta's valor, had been a tremendous humiliation. Their return, facilitated by the peace of Nicias, sparked controversy within Spartan society. Surrender was seen as a grave dishonor in Sparta's warrior culture and many of the returning men faced suspicion and disdain.
Speaker 1:The reintegration of these soldiers exposed deep divisions within Spartan leadership and citizenry. Some argued for their rehabilitation to bolster the declining number of full citizens, while others viewed them as unworthy of their former status. The debate over their fate highlighted the broader pressure on Sparta's rigid social systems and contributed to internal discord. Broader pressure on Sparta's rigid social systems and contributed to internal discord. The return of the army from Thrace and the Sphacterian captives symbolised a broader strain on Spartan society, a warrior state grappling with dishonour, declining resources and internal divisions. These crises, combined with a shrinking citizen population, economic stagnation, hell of unrest and political discord, left Sparta vulnerable to both internal instability and external threats.
Speaker 1:Although the Peace of Nicias provided a temporary reprieve, the deeper structural weaknesses within Sparta foreshadowed the challenges it would face in the decades to come. To address these challenges, leadership and unity would need to come from the top, though at this stage, king Palisthenics and other proponents of peace sought to stabilise the state and recover from losses of the war, while more militaristic factions likely viewed the treaty as a capitulation to Athens and a betrayal of Spartan dominance. These ideological divides complicated decision making and further weakened Sparta's ability to address both internal and external challenges. As we have seen, sparta was dealing with regional issues as well as internal ones. As well as these, both Sparta and Athens were already dealing with the treaty obligations not being fulfilled. At this point in time, both were pushing each other on what had not been delivered. At this point in time, both were pushing each other on what had not been delivered, as we already saw.
Speaker 1:Sparta was supposed to have handed over Amphipolis and had failed to do so, even though they were no longer in control of the city. Another major issue that Athens kept pushing Sparta on was the compliance of their allied states. Both sides were expected to ensure their allies adhered to the peace of Nicias. However, many allies, such as Corinth, thebes and other key Peloponnesian allies, refused to accept the treaty. Apparently, sparta would make assurances that this was under control, but were not able to gain any formal agreement from them to show Athens. However, in response to Athens pushing on these terms, sparta would also attempt to hold Athens accountable for their failings. The Athenians still held control over Pylos and other areas around the Peloponnese, with Sparta arguing these should have already been handed over under the terms of the treaty. We find Thucydides telling us that the Athenians were cautious about handing these areas over just yet, as they suspected Sparta did not have their best intentions on fulfilling their terms. However, after many talks between the two, some compromises were made, with both attempting to show they were doing what they could. This, for the time being saw. The communications were still open between Athens and Sparta, and peace between them remained in place.
Speaker 1:As the winter of 421-420 arrived, the Aethors, who had been in office when the Peace of Nicias was signed, had been replaced by the successors. This had the effect of seeing the already disunited Spartan government tip more towards an aggressive approach with war in mind. The view of a number of these men had been that Sparta had only signed the Peace of Nicias to address the threat that Argos would soon pose, while also wanting to gain back the Sphacterian prisoners and recover Pylos To them. This would allow them to address the main challenges facing Sparta in the immediate future. Argos had grown in power and would exert an immediate challenge to Sparta's dominance on the Peloponnese, it would most likely require Sparta's full attention to neutralize the growth of Argos. The return of the Spartiites would help alleviate some of Sparta's manpower issues, while also allowing them to work past the humiliation their capture and continued imprisonment had represented, while the return of Pylos would see Athenian influence removed from the Peloponnese, while also addressing the fear the Spartans had of another helot revolt, as this is where they were finding safety and friendship with the Athenians. So, within this new appointment of Ephors, it seems the general consensus was that the peace was signed so Sparta could deal with its immediate threats that were growing within the Peloponnese. Once these had been dealt with, they would then be in a better position to resume the war against Athens.
Speaker 1:We find Thucydides telling us that two of the Aethors most opposed to the peace would begin secret talks with Sparta's allies that were opposed to signing the peace, while their ambassadors were president Sparta. For this part, let's turn to Thucydides. Cleobulus and Xenaris, the two Aethors who were the most anxious to break off the treaty, took advantage of this opportunity to communicate privately with the Boeotians and Corinthians and, advising them to act as much as possible together, instructed the former first to enter an alliance with Argos and then try and bring themselves and the Argives into an alliance with Lacedaemon. The Boeotians would so be least likely to be compelled to come into the Attic Treaty, and the Lacedaemonians would prefer gaining the friendship and alliance of Argos even at the price of the hostility of Athens and the rupture of the treaty. The Boeotians knew that an honourable friendship with Argos had long been the desire of Lacedaemon, for the Lacedaemonians believed that this would considerably facilitate the conduct of the war outside the Peloponnese. Meanwhile, they begged the Boeotians to place Panacteum in their hands in order that she might, if possible, obtain Pylos in exchange for it and so be more in a position to resume hostilities with Athens.
Speaker 1:As we had seen, the Boeotians had been hesitant about joining the alliance with the Argive League. Their ability to act as they wished within the Peloponnesian League, along with their differences in political systems, saw them not wanting to make this move that would alter their diplomatic dynamics. However, now, after this last round of talks with Sparta, they may be possibly open to re-evaluating this decision. With the Boeotian and Corinthian delegations departing Sparta, they were met on the road by a couple of officials from Argos. Here it's hard not to get the impression that Argos was aware of the talks that had been taking place in Sparta, with it being very likely the Spartan ethos had allowed the information to get to them.
Speaker 1:These officials once again attempted to entice the Boeotians into an alliance, this time around, putting forward an ambitious offer. They stated that becoming a member of the League would see that they would be part of an alliance that would employ a common policy. They could make war against, or a treaty with, the Spartans, or with anyone else they might choose. The Boeotians, having just come away from talks with the E4s, who had encouraged them to make an alliance with Argos, now saw no reason to reject the offer. After all, the one city that they were worried about acting against was pushing them to make this move.
Speaker 1:Now, even though the Boeotian delegation had been enthusiastic on this offer, it still had to be discussed within the Boeotian Federal Council. Corinth, still pushing to get the Boeotians into some form of agreement, proposed the Boeotian delegates, while still on the road with them, that oaths should be sworn, binding them the Corinthians, thracians and Megarians, where help should be provided to any of them that required, and no war or peace be arranged unless a common agreement. The Boeotian delegates saw that this was basically the same terms that would take hold when joining the Argive Alliance, so decided to provide their approval. However, before they could give their oath, approval still had to come from the Federal Council. When the Boeotian envoys returned to the Boeotian Federal Council, they presented the diplomatic propositions made by both the Spartan ethors and representatives of Argos. However, the secret talks with the two pro-war ethors were not divulged due to potentially causing a crisis with the Theban-Spartan alliance. The Boeotian Council carefully weighed both proposals, reflecting on their geographical position as a central Greek power with considerable military strength but significant vulnerabilities. The Council recognised the appeal of the Argive League's promise of autonomy and resistance to Sparta's dominance, but also noted Argos's relative isolation and lack of a proven military track record against Athens or Sparta. Conversely, sparta's offer aligned with Theban conservative tendencies and ensured the continuation of a relationship with a powerful ally capable of providing security in the face of Athenian aggression. Ultimately, the Boeotian Council decided against joining the Argive League. This decision was driven by loyalty to Sparta Thebes, as the dominant Boeotian polis prioritised its historical and ideological alignment with Sparta. The Boeotians also doubted Argos' ability to stand as a credible leader of a powerful coalition capable of challenging Sparta or Athens, ultimately staying allied with Sparta, proved a more immediate and reliable defence mechanism against the Athenians.
Speaker 1:The formation of the Argive League in 421 BC marked a significant moment in political realignment. In the Peloponnesian War, argos capitalised on the dissatisfaction among Sparta's allies following the peace of Nicias, positioning itself as a rallying point for those seeking autonomy from Sparta's allies following the peace of Nicias, positioning itself as a rallying point for those seeking autonomy from Sparta's dominance. Diplomatic maneuverings to expand this alliance, including overtures to the Boeotians, highlighted the fragmented loyalties within the Greek world, while Corinth's mediation showcased the potential for a broader coalition. The Boeotians ultimately prioritised their ties to Sparta, reflecting the challenges Argos faced in uniting disparate states under a common cause. For Sparta, the period following the Peace of Nicias was fraught with difficulties. The peace treaty, while a diplomatic victory, left many allies disillusioned and exposed Spartan vulnerabilities. The Argive League represented a direct challenge to Sparta's dominance, forcing the Spartans to navigate a delicate balance between maintaining control over their allies and preparing for potential conflicts with Argos and its growing coalition. As 420 BC approached, the stage was set for the Argive League to test its newfound alliances. The future inclusion of Athens in the alliance hinted at a broader and more dangerous coalition against Sparta, escalating tensions and laying the groundwork for renewed hostilities. The fragile peace of 421 BC was unravelling and the coming years would see the Argive League's ambitions collide with Sparta's resilience in a struggle that would reshape the balance of power and grace.
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