Conflict Strategy and the Peloponnesian War

This sequence explores the pivotal military and political shifts in Classical Greece, focusing on the Persian Wars and the subsequent Peloponnesian War. Students analyze how external threats forged unity and how internal power struggles, Athenian imperialism, and strategic failures led to the decline of the Greek city-states and the rise of Macedonia.

Persian Wars Strategy and Unity

Students map the Persian invasions under Darius and Xerxes, analyzing the battles of Marathon, Thermopylae, and Salamis. They focus on how disparate city-states formed a coalition to resist a superpower through strategic ingenuity.

Delian League and Athenian Imperialism

Students examine the transformation of the anti-Persian alliance into an Athenian empire. They analyze tribute lists and architectural projects to understand how Athens leveraged defense funds for cultural and political dominance.

Causes of the Peloponnesian War

Using Thucydides as a guide, students analyze the breakdown of diplomacy between the Delian and Peloponnesian Leagues. They explore the 'Thucydides Trap' and the concept of inevitable conflict between rising and established powers.

Fall of Athens Plague and Hubris

Students investigate the turning points of the war, including Pericles' Funeral Oration, the plague, and the Sicilian Expedition. They discuss the role of hubris, leadership failure, and the fragility of democracy during wartime.

Aftermath and Shifting Hegemonies

Students review the political vacuum left after 404 BCE, examining the brief Spartan and Theban hegemonies. The lesson highlights the exhaustion of the Greek states, setting the stage for the Macedonian conquest.