The 1st Peloponnesian war

Question 1

Battle of Oenophyta (457 BCE)

Answer 1

Location: Boeotia (central Greece)

Combatants: Athens vs. Boeotian League (led by Thebes)

Outcome: Athenian victory

Significance: This was a major success for Athens. After winning, Athens took control of most of Boeotia and Phocis. It allowed Athens to expand its influence in central Greece and gain more control over land routes.

Question 2

Battle of Tanagra (457 BCE)

Answer 2

Location: Near Tanagra in Boeotia

Combatants: Athens and Argos vs. Sparta and Peloponnesian allies

Outcome: Spartan victory

Significance: Though the Spartans won the battle, they soon withdrew from central Greece. The Athenians regrouped and then won at Oenophyta shortly after. This showed the resilience and growing power of Athens on land.

Question 3

Athenian Expedition to Egypt (c. 460–454 BCE)

Answer 3

Location: Nile Delta, Egypt

Combatants: Athens (supporting Egyptian rebels) vs. Persia

Outcome: Catastrophic defeat for Athens

Significance: Athens supported a rebellion in Egypt against Persian rule. Initially successful, the campaign ended in disaster, with a large Athenian force being wiped out around 454 BCE. This defeat led to Athens refocusing on Greece and possibly contributed to the Five Years’ Truce later.

Question 4

Athenian Control of Megara (early 450s BCE)

Answer 4

Event: Megara left the Peloponnesian League and allied with Athens around 460 BCE.

Strategic Importance: Gave Athens control of key routes and helped isolate Corinth, a major Peloponnesian power.

Significance: This shift provoked tension with Sparta and contributed to open conflict. Megara later returned to the Peloponnesian League.

Question 5

Battle of Coronea (446 BCE)

Answer 5

Location: Boeotia

Combatants: Athens vs. Boeotian rebels (including Thebes)

Outcome: Athenian defeat

Significance: This battle marked a turning point. The loss forced Athens to relinquish its control over Boeotia, effectively ending its land empire in central Greece. It helped pave the way for a peace agreement.

Question 6

Revolt of Euboea and Megara (446 BCE)

Answer 6

Events: Both Euboea and Megara revolted against Athenian control.

Outcome: Athens managed to suppress Euboea but lost Megara permanently.

Significance: These revolts showed the limits of Athenian power and likely convinced Pericles (the Athenian leader) to pursue peace with Sparta.

Question 7

Thirty Years’ Peace (446/445 BCE)

Answer 7

Ended the First Peloponnesian War

Terms:
Both sides agreed to respect each other’s alliances.
Disputes would be settled by arbitration.
Neither side would interfere in the other’s sphere of influence.

Outcome: A temporary peace, though it lasted only about 15 years before the Second Peloponnesian War broke out in 431 BCE