The Age of Pericles and The Peloponnesian War
The Age of Pericles
• A.K.A. Golden Age of Athens (490 to 429 BCE).• Made many changes:–All male citizens should be involved
in government.–Paid men in public office–Allowed the poor to serve in gov’t
The Age of Pericles
• Direct Democracy – assembly met and voted a few times a month(6,000 had to be present).–Many citizens took place in day-to-day affairs
• If you’re not involved in gov’t, you’re useless
• Rebuilt the acropolis• Made Athens the cultural center of Greece
Greek Against Greek
• Athens formed Delian League (after Persian Wars) alliance between city-states
• Other city-states resented Athenian power.• Split into rivals.– Sparta wanted a government run by business
–Oligarchy (Peloponnesian League)–Athens wanted Democracy
27 year war broke out in 431 BCE
Peloponnesian War
• Athens – geographic disadvantage• Sparta – inland Athenian navy is
useless• Sparta invades Athens citizens
move into the center of the city.–Plague breaks out & kills one-third of
the population.
Peloponnesian War (cont.)
• Sparta allies with Persia (used to be enemies).–404 BCE with the help of the Persian
Navy, the Spartans captured Athens and took over Greece.
• After Sparta is victorious they try to rule Greece unsuccessfully.
The Aftermath of the War
• The Spartan rule was short and cruel.• Eventually fighting breaks out and
the Greek city-states are invaded by the Macedonians under Phillip II (Father of Alexander the Great)