History of the Peloponnesian War · Theme
Democracy vs. Oligarchy
How History of the Peloponnesian War develops Democracy vs. Oligarchy.
The text contrasts democratic Athens with oligarchic Sparta and examines internal political struggles, such as the debate over democracy in Syracuse, the oligarchic plots in Athens, and the role of faction in cities like Epidamnus and Corcyra.
Where it surfaces
- Book I
The contrasting political systems of democratic Athens and oligarchic Sparta are highlighted in the speeches and debates, setting the stage for the ideological conflict of the war.
- Congress of the Peloponnesian Confederacy at Lacedaemon
The debate reflects the ideological clash between Athenian democracy and Spartan oligarchy, with allies citing Athenian aggression.
- Book II
The Funeral Oration contrasts Athenian democratic ideals with Spartan oligarchic militarism.
- The Corcyraean Revolution and Its Aftermath
The Corcyraean conflict exemplifies the struggle between democratic and oligarchic factions, each invoking Athens or Sparta for support, and the resulting cycle of revenge and atrocity.
- XIV: Eighth and Ninth Years of the War — Invasion of Boeotia — Fall of Amphipolis — Brilliant Successes of Brasidas
The Boeotian conspirators aim to introduce democracy, while Brasidas offers freedom from Athenian democracy, highlighting the conflict between political systems.
- XIX
The political turmoil in Athens, including the suspicion of a conspiracy against the democracy and the arrest of citizens, reflects the tension between democratic and oligarchic factions.
- Book VIII
The internal struggle in Athens between the democratic faction and the oligarchic conspirators, leading to the coup of the Four Hundred.
- Nineteenth and twentieth years of the war — Revolt of Ionia — Intervention of Persia — The War in Ionia
The imposition of oligarchy in Chios and the democratic panic in Athens illustrate the political tensions exacerbated by war.
- Intrigues and Oligarchic Conspiracies
The chapter centers on the plot to replace Athenian democracy with an oligarchy, driven by the belief that this will secure Persian support and win the war.
- XXVI
The conflict between the democratic army at Samos and the oligarchic Four Hundred at Athens, and the internal dissent within the oligarchy, underscore the ideological struggle.