The History of the Peloponnesian War

Thucydides · Composed beginning at the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War (traditionally 431 BCE); continued thereafter (Book I–VIII survive; work unfinished). primary

passage 224 of 394 · BOOK I > CHAPTER XV (8/11)

↪ you wandered here via “Sparta Athens rivalries” — the connecting lines are tinted below

in brief

Thucydides explains why both Athens and Sparta turn toward peace after Amphipolis, leading to an armistice and then negotiations that culminate in a treaty framework including territorial restorations.

to fight Argos and Athens at once. She also suspected some of the cities in Peloponnese of intending to go over to the enemy and that was indeed the case.

These considerations made both sides disposed for an accommodation; the Lacedaemonians being probably the most eager, as they ardently desired to recover the men taken upon the island, the Spartans among whom belonged to the first families and were accordingly related to the governing body in Lacedaemon. Negotiations had been begun directly after their capture, but the Athenians in their hour of triumph would not consent to any reasonable terms; though after their defeat at Delium, Lacedaemon, knowing that they would be now more inclined to listen, at once concluded the armistice for a year, during which they were to confer together and see if a longer period could not be agreed upon.

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topics: faction, party, and civil strife · political legitimacy and consent · treaties, truces, and peacemaking

The History of the Peloponnesian War · Thucydides · 431–404 BCE