Peace of Nicias: What Happened
In 421 BC, Athens and Sparta agreed a peace treaty intended to last fifty years, ending the first phase of the Peloponnesian War, known as the Archidamian War. It was named after the Athenian general and statesman Nicias, who led the negotiations, working with the Spartan king Pleistoanax. Both sides were exhausted. Athens had suffered the plague and defeats at Delium and Amphipolis, while Sparta desperately wanted back the prisoners captured at Sphacteria. The deaths of Cleon and Brasidas, the leading supporters of war on each side, made an agreement possible. Under the terms, each side would return captured territory and prisoners. The peace proved fragile from the start. Several of Sparta's key allies, including Corinth, Thebes and Megara, refused to accept it, and important places such as Amphipolis were never handed back. Tensions and proxy conflicts continued, including the Battle of Mantinea in 418 BC. Encouraged by the ambitious Alcibiades, Athens launched its expedition to Sicily in 415 BC, and open war resumed. The peace had lasted only around six years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Peace of Nicias?
The Peace of Nicias was a treaty signed in 421 BC between Athens and Sparta, ending the first phase of the Peloponnesian War. It was meant to last fifty years.
Who was Nicias?
Nicias was a wealthy and cautious Athenian general and statesman who negotiated the peace. He later opposed the Sicilian Expedition but was forced to lead it and was executed in Syracuse.
Why did the Peace of Nicias fail?
Key Spartan allies, including Corinth, Thebes and Megara, refused to accept it, and places such as Amphipolis were never returned. Tensions and proxy conflicts continued.
How long did the Peace of Nicias last?
The peace lasted only around six years. Open war resumed after Athens launched its expedition to Sicily in 415 BC.
What was the Archidamian War?
The Archidamian War was the first phase of the Peloponnesian War, from 431 to 421 BC, named after the Spartan king Archidamus II. It ended with the Peace of Nicias.
More Events from Classical Greece
