Introduction
The Peloponnesian Wars were a series of wars fought by Athens against Sparta with their respective allies. The wars were fought from 431 to 404 BC, and the reasons for the wars are still debated. Thus, there are many possible causes for the Peloponnesian Wars, but researchers have suggested four main reasons. The first key cause is believed to be Athens’ desire for hegemony over the other states of Greece. The second reason is Sparta’s efforts to maintain its prestige and power. The third cause is the rivalry between Athens and Sparta for the allegiance of their respective allies. Finally, the fourth reason is the geographical factors that created the opportunity for conflict. While each of the four issues deserves attention, the desire of Athens to control all the other states of Greece seems to have served as the major impetus for the Peloponnesian Wars outbreak.
Discussion
Athens’ desire for hegemony over the other states of Greece was a major factor in the outbreak of the war. Athens had a strong military and political position, and its leaders believed that they were entitled to rule over the other states because they were the most powerful (Thucydides, 2017). Throughout the 4th century BC, Athens had become increasingly powerful and influential in the region, in large part, due to its naval power. This led to tensions with the other states, which wanted to maintain their own independence. In 431 BC, Athens declared war on Sparta, the most powerful state in Greece (Lazenby, 2003). One of the immediate causes of the war was the control of the Delian League, the vast naval alliance, which Athens desired to achieve. This control could allow further domination in the Mediterranean Sea (Lazenby, 2003). The war lasted for almost thirty years and resulted in the defeat of Athens.
Sparta, on the other hand, believed that it was their duty to protect the interests of their allies. Still, they were reluctant to involve themselves in conflicts that did not concern them. The Spartans, who were one of the most powerful societies in Greece, were known for their warrior culture (Tritle, 2010). One of the common beliefs among historians is that Sparta’s efforts to maintain its power were the cause of the Peloponnesian Wars (Bagnall, 2006). The Spartans believed that they were the best society and were not willing to let anyone try to take their place. This led to many conflicts with other societies in Greece. Therefore, it is likely that such self-pride could have ignited the Peloponnesian War.
The rivalry between Athens and Sparta for the allegiance of their respective allies was also a major probable factor in the outbreak of the war. Athens and Sparta both wanted their allies to join them in a conflict against the other state, but some of their allies were unwilling to side with either Athens or Sparta (Lazenby, 2003). Athens wanted to ally itself with Persia, while Sparta wanted to ally with Athens’ longtime rival, Athens’ former ally, Egypt. The two allies fought each other for control of the Peloponnese and eventually Greece as a whole.
The geographical factors that created the opportunity for conflict were also important in the outbreak of the war. The states of Greece were very large, and they were surrounded by other states that could easily become involved in hostilities if they felt threatened. The outbreak of the war was due to the growth of Athens and Sparta. These two cities had been feuding for many years, and their rivalry became evident in their dealings with other city-states (Thucydides, 2017). The two cities were also competing for control of the region, and this competition eventually led to open conflict. The Spartans were a better military unit and were able to defeat the Athenians in several battles. This led to the Athenians being forced to surrender and sign a treaty that gave the Spartans control over most of Greece.
From this perspective, the Peloponnesian Wars were a conflict that spanned many years and involved several city-states. The war started when Athens and Sparta argued about who was a better city-state. The war continued when other city-states became concerned, hence generating a worldwide conflict. The Peloponnesian War was a significant event in history because it showed how powerful cities could be. It also showed how alliances could change unexpectedly and how wars could start out of self-pride and the desire to prove one’s supremacy. The Peloponnesian Wars can be described as a crucial point in the development of democracy and the military.
Conclusion
It is possible to conclude that the major cause of the Peloponnesian Wars was the conflict between Athens and Sparta over land and naval dominance in the Aegean Sea. Athens was the dominant naval power at the time and sought to expand its territory and sphere of influence, while Sparta wished to protect its hegemony. The disputes between the two states led to military confrontation, with Athens and Sparta eventually coming to blows.
References
Bagnall, N. (2006). The Peloponnesian War: Athens, Sparta, and the struggle for Greece. St. Martin’s Press.
Lazenby, J. F. (2003). The Peloponnesian War. Routledge.
Thucydides. (2017). History of the Peloponnesian War. R. Crawley (Trans.). Dover.
Tritle, L. A. (2010). A new history of the Peloponnesian War. Wiley-Blackwell.