A Parting of the Ways
A Parting of the Ways
This chapter recalls the series of events which led to the breakup of the Athenian–Spartan alliance. It begins with an earthquake and the rebellion of Sparta's helots (slaves), for which the Spartans had appealed to their allies—among them the Athenians—for help. After all, the friendship between the two powers had made possible the Hellenic victory in the Persian Wars and opened the way for the emergence of Athens' maritime hegemony in the aftermath. However, circumstances had changed dramatically as a consequence of these devastating events. At least for the time being, Athens no longer needed Sparta's forbearance. Moreover, as a consequence of the promise that the Lacedaemonians had made to the Thasians and of the breach with Sparta that the Athenians had initiated in the aftermath of Cimon's return from Messenia, a great strategic rivalry soon began, and, as everyone understood, active warfare would ensue not long after.
Keywords: Athenian–Spartan alliance, helots, Thasos, Athens, Sparta, Cimon, strategic rivalry
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