The end of the Peloponnesian War and its aftermath 419–404 BC

The Final Act: The End of the Peloponnesian War (419–404 BC)

Welcome to the concluding chapter of the great struggle between Athens and Sparta. Think of this period as the "season finale" of a long-running drama. The peace treaties have failed, the stakes have been raised, and a massive empire from the East (Persia) is about to step in and change the rules of the game. By the end of these notes, you’ll understand how Athens went from being the superpower of the Mediterranean to a defeated city, and how Sparta managed to reclaim its crown with some very unlikely help.

1. Relationships Break Down: The Quadruple Alliance

In 421 BC, Athens and Sparta signed the Peace of Nicias, but it was like a shaky truce between two rivals who still didn't trust each other. Between 419 and 418 BC, the peace completely fell apart.

The "Anti-Spartan" Club:
Athens did something very bold. They formed a new alliance with Argos, Mantinea, and Elis.
- Argos was Sparta’s oldest rival in the Peloponnese.
- Mantinea and Elis were former Spartan allies who had grown angry with them.
Analogy: Imagine the two biggest kids in school make peace, but one of them immediately starts hanging out with the other kid's worst enemies. That’s what Athens did to Sparta.

The Battle of Mantinea (418 BC)

This was the biggest land battle of the war. Sparta felt backed into a corner and fought with everything they had.
The Result: Sparta won a massive victory.
Why it matters: Before this battle, people thought Sparta was getting weak and "soft." After Mantinea, Sparta’s reputation as the best land army in Greece was restored. The "Anti-Spartan" alliance collapsed, and Athens was left looking isolated.

Quick Review: The Peace of Nicias failed because neither side followed the rules. The Battle of Mantinea proved that Sparta was still the king of land warfare.

2. The Sicilian Expedition (415–413 BC)

Don't worry if this part feels complicated—just remember it as Athens’ Biggest Mistake.
In 415 BC, Athens decided to send a massive fleet to Sicily (an island near Italy) to help an ally and hopefully conquer the wealthy city of Syracuse.

The Consequences:
1. Total Disaster: By 413 BC, the entire Athenian force was destroyed. They lost hundreds of ships and thousands of elite soldiers.
2. Loss of Reputation: Athens used to seem "invincible" at sea. Now, the rest of Greece saw that Athens could be beaten.
3. Sparta Steps In: Sparta sent a general (Gylippus) to help Syracuse. This proved that Sparta could now influence events far away from home.

Memory Aid: Think of the Sicilian Expedition as "The Sinking of Syracuse." Athens threw all their money and men into a "Double or Nothing" bet and lost everything.

3. The Occupation of Decelea (413 BC)

While Athens was struggling in Sicily, the Spartans took the advice of an Athenian traitor named Alcibiades. They decided to change their strategy.

The Old Strategy: Invade Athens for a few weeks, burn some crops, and go home.
The New Strategy (Decelea): Build a permanent fort at Decelea (inside Athenian territory) and stay there all year round.

Why this was devastating for Athens:
- Athens couldn't farm their land at all.
- 20,000 Athenian slaves escaped to the Spartan fort.
- The silver mines at Laurium (which paid for the war) had to close.
- Athens became a "city under siege" 24/7.

Key Takeaway: Decelea was a "Permanent Thorn" in Athens' side. It bled them of money, food, and manpower every single day.

4. The Persian Connection: Gold vs. Ships

This is the most important part of the "Greek and non-Greek states" section of your syllabus. After the disaster in Sicily, the Persian Empire saw an opportunity to get revenge for their losses earlier in the century.

Persia’s Aims (What they wanted):

Persia didn't care who won the Greek war; they just wanted to get their power back over the Greek cities in Ionia (modern-day Turkey). They followed a "Divide and Rule" strategy—keep the Greeks fighting each other so they are too weak to fight Persia.

The Deal with Sparta:

Sparta needed money to build a navy to rival Athens. Persia had more gold than anyone else.
- The Trade: Persia gave Sparta gold to pay for sailors and ships.
- The Price: Sparta had to agree that the Greek cities in Asia belonged to the Persian King.

Common Mistake to Avoid: Students often think Persia fought the battles. They didn't! Persia was the "Banker." They provided the cash that allowed Sparta to keep building new fleets even after Athens sank them.

The Impact on the War:

With Persian gold, Sparta hired the best sailors. Eventually, the Spartan general Lysander was able to corner the Athenian fleet at Aegospotami (405 BC) and destroy it. Without a navy, Athens couldn't import food, and the city was forced to surrender in 404 BC.

Did you know? The Persian Prince Cyrus the Younger became very close friends with the Spartan General Lysander. This personal friendship was a huge reason why the money kept flowing to Sparta!

5. Summary of the Final Years (419–404 BC)

How it started: Athens was trying to bully Sparta by making new alliances in the Peloponnese (419-418 BC).
The turning point: Athens lost its entire army and navy in Sicily (415-413 BC), leaving them vulnerable.
The endgame: Sparta occupied Decelea to choke Athens’ economy and used Persian Gold to build a winning navy.
The result: In 404 BC, the Athenian Empire was dismantled, its walls were pulled down, and Sparta became the leading power in Greece.

Quick Review Box:
1. Battle of Mantinea: Restored Spartan pride.
2. Sicilian Expedition: Athenian disaster.
3. Decelea: Permanent Spartan fort in Athens.
4. Persian Empire: Acted as the "Banker" for Sparta to ensure Athens lost.

Don't worry if the names of the Persian Satraps (like Tissaphernes and Pharnabazus) are hard to remember. Focus on the relationship: Sparta provided the military force, and Persia provided the financial backing. This "non-Greek" intervention is what ultimately ended the Peloponnesian War.