Lacedaemon

I. Siege of Plataea
In the year 431 bce, the civilization of Thebes attacked the countryside of Plataea, an ally of Athens, to renew the long dormant Peloponnesian Wars. Subsequently, a plague breaks out in Athens killing much of their population including their most powerful politician and general, Pericles. The recommencement of the war proves successful for Sparta, who dominated battles with their legions of soldiers battle-trained from birth. This first movement follows Sparta’s initial siege and victories in battle with the Athenian infantry during the Archidamian war.

II. Peace of Nicias
With war ensuing for years and eventually leading to major losses for both sides, both Brasidas, the leading Spartan general, and Cleon, the leading politician in Athens, were killed in 422 B.C.. Both the Spartan and Athenian armies were exhausted by this point, and they were ready for peace. They signed the Peace Treaty of Nicias to put a temporary end to the war, bringing a beautiful time of calm reflection aside from the occasional treaty negotiation troubles. This, however, would not last long. The end of this movement sees the peace treaty broken by the Sicilian Expedition and invasion, confirming that peace will not exist until this Greek civil conflict is resolved.

III. Declean Triumph
After many years of alternating conflict between both armies and their allies, the victors finally began to reveal themselves in Sparta as their sieges of cities and control of naval space began to dominate. Finally in 405 B.C., Lysander’s Spartan navy defeated the Athenians at the Aegospotami and their entire fleet was destroyed, causing Athens to accept its inevitable fate at the conclusion of the piece.