The Peloponnesian War - PART I: The Gathering Storm

This is the first episode of the podcast series on the Peloponnesian War. How did it start? What does Thucydides, the war's great historian, tell us about the reasons and motivations of Athens, Sparta, Corinth and the different parties involved? Could the conflict have been prevented? We'll take a look at these questions and more as we go through the story of the greatest internal conflict of ancient Greek history, the Peloponnesian War!

Contents:

00:00 Introduction
01:50 Thucydides and History
05:33 Greece after the Persian Invasion
08:52 The Delian and Peloponnesian Leagues
11:12 Earthquake in Sparta and Messenian Uprising
12:38 Athens and Sparta have a Falling Out
16:00 Early Skirmishes
22:51 Conflict between Corinth and Corcyra
27:44 Battle of Sybota
31:00 The Megarian Decree
32:06 Potidea and Macedon
35:20 War Hawks
39:42 The Arguments of Archidamos and Sthenelaidas
43:00 War is Declared!
44:22 Thank You and Patrons

Related Videos:

Peloponnesian War Podcast Playlist

The Peloponnesian War - PART II: Pericles' War Begins

The History of Ancient Sparta and the Spartans

Ancient Athens: Highlights of Athenian History

Ancient Greece during the Archaic Period (750-480 BC)

Special thanks to Malay Archer for creating the astounding machinimas that really brought this program to life using Total War: Rome 2 Divide et Impera mod Alexander submod

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Music:
Epidemic Sound

#ancientgreece #greece #ancienthistory

[carl]

The Peloponnesian War might just be one of the first moments in history that's recounted with all the nuance and clarity of a current event, and yet it took place over 2400 years ago. That's one millennium before the events of Beowulf. There are myths and legends that have formed in less time. We owe a debt of gratitude to Thucydides.

[dhmossedios]

The Peloponnesian war deserves a series. It could easily have 10 seasons

[artkoenig]

History is not always written by the winners!

[LudwigZand]

I am so glad I found your channel Cy!! I am currently learning about Iranian history as well as beginning to learn Persian and your videos (especially about the Achaemenid Empire) have been so insightful and helpful to me. Keep up the great work, it is very much appreciated (as well as really enjoyable to watch)!

[FabledRomance]

I’m a little embarrassed that this may be my first time posting on one of your vids b/c I’ve watched SO many (& liked❤️ them). But OMG you are literally one of my favorite content creators! I’ve learned so much about ancient Mesopotamia, Greece, Egypt etc. from your vids & recommendations🤯

I just wanted to say I’m a huge fan of your work. I can only imagine the labor put into the research. It is appreciated!💗

[alexanderguesthistorical]

Superb. Just remembering all this from Donald Kagan's book "The Pelloponesian War" I read years ago (definitely recommended). The actions of some of the nations in todays world mirror those in 5th century BC Greece with uncanny similarity. and all those centuries ago. Astounding.

[thucydides]

What a great video. So far you’ve touched on exactly the right points. I’m glad you’ve elected to actually quote Thucydides to great length when needed. Other channels neglect to give the viewer the actual words by which the video is basing its knowledge on.

[gigagian]

I would never accuse Cy of being topical, but I can't help but think that there are some valuable insights to be learned about the pitfalls and complexities of military alliances from the Peloponnesian War (indeed of ancient Greek history in general) that are still relevant today as of certain recent events.

[JB-gwee]

Another great video from Cy! Bless you sir, and thank you for these hours and hours of great content!

[traitorfang]

This was such an interesting and well informed video, I can see how much detail and effort was put into and I'm very thankful that I was able to watch this. Can't wait for part 2 of the series, keep up the great work Cy!

[bennymoreira]

Thank you Cy… For yet again a great coverage on an epic historical story to journey back in time.

[anitapollard]

YAY! History with you 💕 and a wonderful decent lengthy one, at that. Thank you! Need a reason to "sit back & relax".

[Theorist]

Congratulations on this amazing work.
There are so so many videos on this topic on youtube but this one really stands out: good pacing, good balance between the big narrative and providing historical context. Great job.

[Artur_M.]

Talking about Thucydides, his work and essentially his exile always reminds me about the reflections of Polish poet Zbigniew Herbert, expressed in his poem "Why the classics?":

"in the fourth book of the Peloponnesian War
Thucydides tells among other things
the story of his unsuccessful expedition

among long speeches of chiefs
battles sieges plague
dense net of intrigues of diplomatic endeavours
the episode is like a pin
in a forest

the Greek colony Amphipolis
fell into the hands of Brasidos
because Thucydides was late with relief

for this he paid his native city
with lifelong exile

exiles of all times
know what price this is

generals of the most recent wars
if a similar affair happens to them
whine on their knees before posterity
praise their heroism and innocence

they accuse their subordinates
envious colleagues
unfavourable winds

Thucydides says only
that he had seven ships
it was winter
and he sailed quickly
(...)"

[gabeist]

More content Cy! Love the straightforward top down approach, your channel has been an excellent primer for areas of history to dive further into.

[royos-yaps]

I can’t wait for part two of this! You and your videos are so cool!!!

[Krommer]

That was FANTASTIC! Eagerly awaiting part 2.

[Artur_M.]

When I was a kid developing fascination in history, this period was one of my favorite ones. I don't really know why my interest decreased a bit over time.
But it makes me even more happy to having my memory refreshed by Cy.

Now your video is also a momentary respite for me from anxiously following the news about the current war. Who would have thought just 12 days ago.

[donaldwhittaker]

Thucydides created the craft of history. All the really good historians I've read over the past 55 years have followed his lead in writing history that explains why we make the mistakes that shape the future of nations and empires. Gibbon did for the Roman Empire what Thucydides did for Greece. Many good European and US historians have continued the tradition in their analyses of Euro and US history.

[dustinarnold]

It’s so strange when you think of Sparta you think war like people who always wanted a good fight. Then you hear about them constantly being the ones trying to deescalate the tension between everyone fighting. Seems so much more level headed then they are normally portrayed