Primary Source Analysis: History of the Peloponnesian War

Thucydides, a wealthy Athenian General, survived through the Peloponnesian War and wrote about it. The Peloponnesian War was caused by Athens and Sparta both trying to gain power. They had worked together to defeat the Persian invasion but Greece was just too small for them both to stay in. During this war, the Athenian leader Pericles, decided to build a wall from Piraeus and Athens, to act like an island. This seemed like a good idea to stay away from the Spartans; however, the close-quarters of the Athenian people caused sickness. A plague broke out, killing over 30,000 people, including Pericles. Athens fought for another 27 years, before they were destroyed at Aegospotami.

Peloponnesian War