The Peloponnesian War by Thucydides - 8 - Revolution and Counter-Revolution
Book Eight
Quote
"... it was not an easy task to terminate the liberty of the Athenian people almost exactly a hundred years after the deposition of the tyrants, when they had been not only free of subjection to anyone else but also, for over half of that period, accustomed to imperial power over others."
Notes
Athens gets the news of the total destruction of their invading force in Sicily and are in utter disbelief and despair. They do their best to gather themselves together and start rebuilding.
Word gets around all over Greece and all momentum starts moving against Athens. Cities that were neutral now want to get involved. Cities allied with Athens want to revolt. Sparta is inundated with requests to support them in revolting against Athens. They are in the driver's seat now and start planning within this new landscape of the war.
Meanwhile, Alcibiades continues his plotting. The Spartans are growing suspicious of him and some actually want him killed. He takes refuge with a representative from Persia, Tessaphernes, who has a lot of power and resources to contribute that would tip the scales of the balance of power. Both Sparta and Athens would love to get his support, and Alcibiades uses his position of influence with Tessaphernes to his advantage.
He ultimately wants to return to Athens, but he needs to get his enemies there out of power. He makes an offer saying Tessaphernes will support Athens if they change out their democracy for an oligarchy and take him (Alcibiades) back. The Athenians are desperate for something to help turn the tides of the war for them, but they are divided over these conditions.
Negotiations go back and forth. Tessaphernes is more interested in waiting for both sides to destroy each other and Alcibiades is partly advising him in that direction as well.
A group of Athenians support the change to an oligarchy, so even though negotiations with Tessaphernes don't go well, they move ahead with their conspiracy anyway. They start making moves to take power and take out their opponents. They also offer peace to Sparta.
Sparta doesn't trust the change in government. They expect it isn't settled enough yet to be able to sustain the offer of peace, and sure enough, more infighting breaks out in Athens. Another group in Athens is against the oligarchy and they rally support to restore the Athenian democracy. Alcibiades is brought back amidst the turmoil and actually helps reconcile both parties back together.
There is a major sea battle at Euboea where Athens suffers another defeat. This loss reinforces their need to reunify. So they restore their democracy and the oligarchic revolution comes to an end.
Book Eight ends abruptly without finishing the story. Thucydides' account covers up to the 21st year in this 27-year long conflict.
Key Takeaways
Athens is in disarray. Things keep getting worse and worse for them. It's surprising that they've even made it this far. The war does go on for another six years, and Athens eventually is defeated.
What happened to Thucydides? He must have died before he was able to complete his work on the Peloponnesian War. However, even in its incomplete form, this book is still an incredible masterpiece to read.