Athenian Policy and the Fall of Themistocles

Who was Aristides and why was he important?

• Aristides was a wealthy Athenian known as 'the Just'

• He consistently opposed Themistocles, and was exiled as a result but returned when all exiles were recalled from the Second Persian Invasion.

• Took a prominent role in Athens following the downfall of Themistocles.

• Aristides was actually the cousin of Themistocles which made the rivalry between them more potent.

Why is it important to note the walls around Athens?

• Sparta sent an envoy to Athens asking them to stop - they argued that no city north of the Peloponnese should have walls, as the Persians could use walls against the Greeks in the future.

• Athens had been heavily damaged by the Persians - notably the walls had been destroyed.

• The Athenians, once they returned, began to rebuild their walls.

• A city with walls in the classical world is extremely difficult to conquer.

How did Themistocles settle the wall dispute with Sparta?

• Themistocles actually agreed to remove the walls of Athens after much deliberation and after hefty monetary compensation from Sparta.

• Thucydides states that the Spartans (and her allies) were concerned with the increasing Athenian naval power and influence in the region.

• Themistocles sends the Spartans home, promising to send an embassy to Sparta to discuss the proposition.

• Themistocles goes to Sparta himself, leaving instructions for the entire population to work on the walls, meanwhile he delays the Spartans long enough that the walls are finished before the Spartans even know what happened.

What was the Amphictyonic Congress?

• Was a council of all the Greek city-states who jointly watched over Delphi (as it is a holy city)

• The Spartans wanted to expel all members of the Congress that had medized, however Themistocles opposed this because then the Peloponnesians would have controlled the Congress.

• The Spartan motion fails, adding further tension between Athens and Sparta.

• Ultimately Themistocles is ostracised in 472/471BCE and eventually flees to Persia, not before doing huge amounts of damage ti the relationship between Athens and Sparta.

The Athenians could use their new military power and prestige to dominate Greece or wage war against Persia - this split the key political factions in Athens: the (a)   and the doves.

Which of these points match the policies of the Athenian 'hawks'? Pt.1 of 3

• This faction believed the Persians were beaten and would be no further threat once removed from Greek territory.

• After the Persian wars, Sparta tried to stop Athens building the wall - their hostile attitude was from fear of the Athenian military strength.

• They believed Sparta was bound to attack to try and regain hegemony of Greece because they could not accept Athens as an equal, independent power.

• This faction rejected the analysis of Greek super-power politics, and believed in a policy of dual hegemony for Greece.

Which of these points match the policies of the Athenian 'hawks'? Pt.2 of 3

• The enemy had to be the Persians, and so the policy of this Athenian faction was to maintain peaceful relations with the Spartans and make war on the Persians.

• Policy of this faction was to end hostility with the Persians once removed from Greece and focus on the inevitable conflict with Sparta.

• It was likely that Themistocles was leader of this faction, and it was he who authorised the fortification of the Piraeus, the port of Athens, and organised its completion immediately after the Persian Wars - however Themistocles was not interested in leading the Delian League - he instead focused on pursuing anti-Persian policies.

• "He told them... that through the strength of their fleet they had the power not only to drive off the barbarians, but also to become the leaders of Greece." (Plutarch)

Which of these points match the policies of the Athenian 'hawks'? Pt.3 of 3

• Themistocles' policy meant the Spartans had to be opposed when they tried to increase their power or limit that of Athens.

• Athens' friendship with Sparta was the main driver of the foreign policy, as it allowed the Athenians to direct their full military might against the Persians.

• He made a blunt statement to the Spartan Assembly that the Athenians would make their own decisions in their own interests and deal in equality with the Spartans henceforth. (Themistocles)

• After the Delian League became far more financially attractive, Themistocles was ostracised for his foreign policy and his activities were threatening the relationship between the two states and it was embarassing.

Which of these points match the policies of the Athenian 'doves'? Pt.1 of 3

• This faction rejected the analysis of Greek super-power politics, and believed in a policy of dual-hegemony for Greece.

• Policy of this faction was to end hostility with the Persians once removed from Greece and focus on the inevitable conflict with Sparta.

• This faction argued that the states had two different spheres of influence - Athens, a sea power of the Aegean, and Sparta, a land power of the Peloponnese - the Persian Wars had shown this could work and could be continued, and any future problems could be solved amicably.

• The enemy had to be the Persians, and so the policy of this faction was to maintain peaceful relations with the Spartans and make war on the Persians.

Which of these points match the policies of the Athenian 'doves'? Pt.2 of 3

• Cimon was the leader of this faction, and supported the aims of the Delian League - he was a pro-Spartan, and had tremendous respect and admiration for them.

• "From the beginning of his career he was a great supporter of the Spartans. He actually named one of his sons Lacedaimonius." (meaning 'the Spartan') (Plutarch)

• Athens' frienship with Sparta was the main driver of Cimon's foreign policy, as it allowed the Athenians to direct their full military might against the Persians - it also greatly promoted his career.

• "He told them... that through the strength of their fleet they had the power not only to drive off the barbarians, but also become the leaders of Greece." (Plutarch)