The Peloponnesian Wars were among the most important conflicts of the ancient world, pitting democratic Athens against militaristic Sparta in a struggle that transformed Greek civilisation. This course explores the origins of the conflict, the personalities and political decisions that shaped it, and the dramatic military campaigns that unfolded over nearly three decades. Drawing on the writings of Thucydides and other ancient sources, participants will examine themes of power, leadership, democracy, empire and human ambition. The course also considers why the Peloponnesian Wars continue to be studied today and what they can teach us about international rivalry and political decision-making. No previous knowledge of ancient history is required.

DELIVERY MODE

Hybrid (face to face and online simultaneously)

COURSE RESOURCES

Suggested reading:

• The Peloponnesian War: Donald Kagan

COURSE OUTLINE

• After the defeat of Persia Greece was now safe and secure, but there were inherent problems. This lesson explores Athens' fast rise to power and wealth, often at the expense of her allies, while at the same time Sparta was unchanging and saw Athens as brash and threatening
• An on-going series of disputes between Athens' allied city states and Sparta's allied city states continued to keep tensions high. While both made attempts to keep the peace, other Greeks were continually in dispute with each other. This lesson
• We explore the first half of the war and how it spread right across the Greek world and beyond
• In this last lesson we see how the war ended and the price of defeat and victory. We explore how the Greek world was changed forever

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Understand the difference between the Athenian and Spartan world views and how this led to conflict
2. See how the system of alliances would lead to jealousies, resentment and conflict between the two alliances
3. Understand the nature of Greek warfare and how the conflict caused havoc and tragedy across the Greek world
4. Trace the events of the war and why it ended the way it did, and what consequences this had in Greece