The Archidamian War Flashcards
(28 cards)
What was the Archidamian War?
The first eleven years of the Peloponnesian War.
Who was the Archidamian War named after?
The Spartan king who opposed the war in the assembly.
What was the population of Sparta?
Approximately 10,000 Spartans and a larger number of subjects/helots.
What was the size of the Spartan army compared to its subject army?
10,000 Spartan army vs 250,000 subject army.
What were the major allies of Sparta?
- Thebes
- Argos
- Corinth
- Elis
What was the population of Athens?
Approximately 250,000.
What was the size of the Athenian army and its cavalry?
15-20,000 army with 1,000 cavalry.
What were the major allies of Athens?
- Messenians
- Corcyrans
What type of state was Sparta?
A continental, agricultural, oligarchic state.
What was Archidamus of Sparta’s strategy?
- Cultivate allies in Greece and beyond
- Build a strong fleet to challenge Athens at sea
- Invade Athens and hope for them to engage
What type of state was Athens?
A maritime, commercial, democratic state.
What was Pericles’ strategy regarding warfare with Sparta?
A stalemate would equal victory; no need to fight Sparta.
What was a significant consequence of Pericles’ rural evacuation policy?
Contributed to the 430-427 plague.
What was the Spartan strategy during the Archidamian War?
Invade Attica and provoke a fight.
How many Spartan invasions occurred during the Archidamian War?
Annual invasions in 431, 430, 428, 427, and 425.
What disrupted Spartan invasions in 429 and 426?
The plague and earthquakes.
What is Oliganthropia?
A shortage of people.
What types of troops were used in the Archidamian War?
- Hoplites
- Light infantry
- Cavalry
What was a characteristic of Spartan invasions?
The Spartan army never stayed long during their incursions.
What was the longest duration of a Spartan invasion?
40 days.
How many hoplites did Athens have?
13,000.
What was the size of the Athenian fleet at its highest point?
250 ships and 35,000 sailors.
What was the focus of Athenian efforts during the war?
Securing resources of the empire in the Aegean.
What was Pericles’ view on expanding the Athenian empire during the war?
Athens ought not to increase the size of its empire while waging war.
