# Alliance and Betrayal in History of the Peloponnesian War

> Theme guide for History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides.

The shifting loyalties of city-states, the breaking of treaties, and the manipulation of alliances are central, as seen in the revolt of Mytilene, the Spartan-Athenian negotiations, and the Egestaeans' deceptive appeals to Athens for aid.

## Where it surfaces

- [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/ii): The Corcyraeans and Corinthians each appeal to Athens for alliance, while Perdiccas shifts allegiances, and Potidaea revolts against Athens, illustrating the fragile and shifting nature of alliances.
- [Congress of the Peloponnesian Confederacy at Lacedaemon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/iii): Corinth accuses Sparta of neglecting its allies, highlighting tensions within the Peloponnesian League.
- [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/iv): The first open quarrel between Athens and Sparta arises from mutual suspicion, leading Athens to ally with Argos and break the anti-Persian alliance.
- [Second Congress at Lacedaemon: Preparations for War and Diplomatic Skirmishes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/v): Pausanias's secret dealings with Persia and the manipulation of religious curses highlight betrayals within and between states.
- [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/viii): Perdiccas secretly aids the Peloponnesians while allied with Athens, and Sitalces' nephew Seuthes is bribed to persuade the Thracian king to retreat, demonstrating the fragility of alliances.
- [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/ix): The Mitylenians justify their revolt by arguing that Athenian leadership has turned from liberation to subjugation, making true alliance impossible. They seek Spartan support, emphasizing that only mutual fear can sustain a trustworthy alliance.
- [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/xiii): The Megarian betrayal plot and the Sicilian cities' decision to unite against Athens highlight the fragile nature of alliances and the prevalence of treachery.
- [XIV: Eighth and Ninth Years of the War — Invasion of Boeotia — Fall of Amphipolis — Brilliant Successes of Brasidas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/xiv): The plot to betray Siphae and Chaeronea to the Athenians, and Brasidas' efforts to win over Acanthus, underscore the fragility of alliances.
- [Book V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/book-v): The shifting alliances between Athens, Sparta, Argos, and other city-states highlight the fragile nature of trust and the ease with which alliances are broken for strategic gain.
- [The Peace of Nicias and the End of the First War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/xv): The refusal of Spartan allies (e.g., the Chalcidians) to accept the peace terms and Clearidas's defiance of Spartan orders to hand over Amphipolis illustrate the fragility of alliances and the tension between central authority and local interests.
- [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/xvi): The chapter details shifting alliances among Greek city-states, with Corinth inciting Argos against Sparta, Alcibiades betraying Spartan trust to secure an Athenian-Argive alliance, and the fragile peace repeatedly broken by mutual suspicion.
- [Book VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/book-vi): Alcibiades' defection to Sparta after being recalled exemplifies the theme of shifting loyalties and betrayal in the Peloponnesian War.
- [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/xix): Alcibiades' recall and defection to Sparta illustrate themes of political betrayal and shifting loyalties, while Hermocrates seeks alliances to counter the Athenian threat.
- [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/xx): Alcibiades betrays Athens by revealing its strategic plans to Sparta, while the Camarinaeans struggle to choose between allying with Athens or Syracuse.
- [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/xxi): The Lacedaemonians' decision to fortify Decelea and send reinforcements to Sicily reflects the shifting alliances and mutual accusations of treaty violations between Athens and Sparta.
- [Book VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/book-viii): The shifting alliances between Athens, Sparta, and Persia, along with Alcibiades' betrayals and manipulations, dominate the political landscape.
- [Nineteenth and twentieth years of the war — Revolt of Ionia — Intervention of Persia — The War in Ionia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/xxiv): The shifting alliances are central: Athens' subjects revolt, Sparta allies with Persia, and internal discord plagues Chios.
- [Intrigues and Oligarchic Conspiracies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/xxv): Phrynichus betrays the Athenian plot to the Spartans, while Alcibiades manipulates Tissaphernes and the Athenians for personal gain, highlighting the fragility of trust.
- [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/xxvi): Alcibiades' manipulation of Tissaphernes and the Peloponnesians, and the distrust between Tissaphernes and the Peloponnesian fleet, highlight the fragility of alliances.

## Links

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