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Summary Of Pericles Objectives During The Peloponnesian War

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The Athenian City State objectives had two different strategies during the Peloponnesian War. The first strategy set forth by Pericles’ was to the use the powerful Athenian Navy to preserve all current resources in the empire and to protect Athens. The second strategy which the established by the assembly supported by Cleon and Nicias was an offensive strategy in order to expand the growth of the empire however, it drained resources and exposed Athens to significant risk. Each strategy presented significant risks and levied different requirements on means and ways as Athenian leaders tried to protect and enhance the empire.
The first strategy outline by Pericles was defensive; his objective was not to engage Sparta in a land battle, but to …show more content…

The Athenians were now able to project their new strategy with the Spartans as Sparta requested peace and the return of their soldiers. Encouraged by Cleon, the Athenians rejected the peace offering from Sparta “grasping at something further.” Athenians demanded the return of four cities to Athens. The Spartans response was slow to the Athenians request and “Cleon violently assailed” the envoys. Based off what transpired, the envoys decided whatever they offered would not be good enough for the Athenians, causing the Spartans to …show more content…

Cleon requested a small force and set 20 days to return with either prisoners or killing them on the island. Due to the size of the force and the time allocated, Cleon may have underestimated the risk since the Athenians “could not help laughing at his empty words.” Cleon raid was successful as he returned with prisoners within the period that he stipulated. This raid was a contributing factor that led Athens to embark on the second Sicilian campaign because it emboldened their military since they were able to bring down the might of the Spartan Army.
Growing the Athenian empire was the objective of the second Sicily campaign. It took a more aggressive tone, which called for the control of Sicily. First, the Athenians would establish a friendly base by helping an ally. Second, they would restore control of Leontini and third, taking matters deemed “best for the interest of Athens.” These actions would increase the available means (resources) that allowed them to develop new ends (objectives) for the Athenian

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