Discussion - Reasons for Athenian defeat in 2nd Peloponnesian War

I was recently playing Assassin's Creed Odyssey and that got me reading up about a topic that i had previously never really looked into - the 2nd Peloponnesian War/Attic War.

Apart from the devastating plague what were the other major reasons why Athens lost? From the little that I understand Athens had far more silver and men to spend than her rivals, so what gives?

Can someone please help me make sense?

Also what are major PoDs that can change the outcome of the war?

I look forwards to your response.
 
Basically, Athens got overextended in the Sicilian Expedition, and they were not helped by Alcibiades turning traitor. For Athens to win, the Sicilian Expedition either never happens or is successful--the latter option is very possible if Alcibiades stays in command.
 
Basically, Athens got overextended in the Sicilian Expedition, and they were not helped by Alcibiades turning traitor. For Athens to win, the Sicilian Expedition either never happens or is successful--the latter option is very possible if Alcibiades stays in command.

Why was the Sicilian expedition undertaken even? Like what was the strategic goal? What was the end game?

And if nothing else what was the motive?
 
Why was the Sicilian expedition undertaken even? Like what was the strategic goal? What was the end game?

And if nothing else what was the motive?
That's what a lot of Athenians were asking.

More specifically though, the city of Segesta asked Athens for help.
 
To be honest I've often thought that the Athenians pretty much defeated themselves. Obviously the Spartans and the Sicilians did their part. But really the Athenians seemed to want hold on to the idiot ball forever in this conflict. Hubris and overconfidence magnified to the greatest degree. Regards.
 
TBH the Peloponnesian War was not going to be won at Sea like Athens Wanted, not when they and their enemies shared a landmass.

On Land, Sparta and her allies held the advantage.
 
Yes, the Sicilian Expedition was the key factor. The loss of all those citizens was devastating to Athenian manpower and, of course, her prestige within the Greek world. Secondly, the Spartan decision to garrison the fort at Decelea in Attica meant that the Athenians could not readily practice agriculture on their lands and had to import food. This meant that the loss of control of the seas after a naval defeat, such as at Aigospatamoi, was fatal to the Athenians. They could be starved into submission. Essentially, the problem was, as nepcotevalley notes, overextension due to excessive imperial ambitions.

The major sources are Thucydides, The Peloponnesian War down to 407 and his continuator Xenophon in the Hellenika. For the former see the translation and notes by Steven Lattimore. He is exceptionally learned and thorough and the translation is very pure. The Penguin Classic translation of Xenophon by Rex Warner is good. He translates the title as A History of my Times. I also recommend the novels of Mary Renault which capture the spirit of Ancient Greece wonderfully. For this topic and period see The Last of the Wine. All of her novels are splendid though.
 
Last edited:
Top