43 1 year BC–On April 25th, 404 BC, the Peloponnesian War broke out, and finally the Peloponnesian League won, which ended the classical era of Athens and the democratic era of Greece. So why did Greece lose in the Peloponnesian War?

Reasons for the defeat of Athens in the Peloponnesian War

First, economic reasons

Before the war broke out, Athens had strong economic strength and rich economic resources, which were the economic guarantee for Perikles to win the war. However, Athens' economy has its limitations.

1. Athens is dominated by industry and commerce, with strong external dependence.

2. The national treasury revenue lacks a stable source, and financial resources are insufficient in the war.

Second, political reasons

Before the Peloponnesian War, democracy in Athens tended to flourish, but there was a crisis lurking behind the prosperous democracy.

1. Party struggles are constant, and party struggles are party struggles. The parties in ancient Greece refer to some loose citizen groups formed naturally around certain political and economic interests. As far as the party struggle in Athens is concerned, the composition of the party, the form and content of the struggle vary from time to time, but no matter which form, the party struggle is an important part of the class struggle in Athens.

2. The disadvantage of democracy is another important factor that led to the failure of Athens. Perikles said: "Our political system is called democracy, which is true. Because the regime is not in the hands of a few people, but in the hands of the majority. " Major events in Athens are decided by the citizens' assembly, and every citizen has the right to speak at the assembly.

Citizens' democratic rights were more extensive in Perikles. In Greek thought, the fundamental principle of democratic politics is equality, which is reflected in political life by drawing lots and taking turns to govern. In this sense, democracy in Athens represents the most democratic political system in human history so far. However, Athenian democracy also had great defects, which were exposed in the war.

Third, military reasons

In a word, Athens, which was obviously dominated by the navy, was finally defeated by Sparta because of repeated delays in fighter planes and strategic and tactical mistakes.

Fourth, diplomatic reasons

Athens was helpless because of its immorality, and the contradiction between the allies became increasingly acute. After the failure of the expedition to Sicily, the whole Greece immediately rose up against Athens. First of all, the people of Ubisoft and Lesburg, followed by the Kaios and Tries who are famous for their loyalty to Athens. Losing the support of the allies is equivalent to cutting off the lifeline of Athens. The Athenian League began to disintegrate, and Athens was alone and could not get support and assistance. No longer able to compete with the peloponnesian alliance. This also became a reason for the failure of Athens.

V. International reasons

Sparta's economic aid was backed by Persian money and fleet, and Sparta's fleet developed and competed with Athens to win. In addition, the escape of Athenian slaves also had an impact on the war.

The influence of the Peloponnesian War

Before the war, both sides had their own strengths in military technology. One is a typical land country. Although it has strong army strength and land combat experience, it knows nothing about sea combat. Not only does it not have its own warship, but it can't even sail in the wind and waves.

One is a typical maritime country, with a large number of technologically advanced warships and rich experience in maritime operations. But Sparta came from behind and was defeated at sea.

In terms of military strategy, the means of both sides are endless. Athens carried out a large number of military immigrants in advance, which preserved land, personnel and other equipment and was a strategic reserve of materials. Sparta, on the other hand, played hard to get, gained the upper hand in public opinion and waged war under the slogan of democracy and freedom.

As far as strategy is concerned, neither side has put forward a particularly influential war theory. More is the innovation of tactics and combat methods. For example, digging rivers, flooding cities with sea water, attacking cities with fire, and digging tunnels are all new methods of warfare that have emerged in this war. During this period, many famous cases emerged, for example, Persia and Athens used cipher communication, but it was deciphered by Spartans.

In addition, due to the decades-long war, on the one hand, soldiers were badly consumed and needed to be replenished urgently, on the other hand, citizens suffered huge losses, and the civil soldier system in Athens could not continue, leading to the emergence of professional soldiers. Finally, Persia was the biggest winner in this war. It is only because of its internal reasons that Macedonia finally dominates the region.