Thirty Years' Peace: What Happened
In 446 or 445 BC, Athens and Sparta signed a treaty intended to last thirty years, ending a period of intermittent fighting historians call the First Peloponnesian War. Athens had tried to extend its power onto the Greek mainland, but a series of setbacks, including the loss of Boeotia and a revolt on Euboea, forced it to negotiate. The Athenian leader Pericles and the Spartan king Pleistoanax were the key figures on each side. Under the terms, Athens gave up most of its mainland possessions, while Sparta accepted Athenian control of its naval empire. The Greek world was effectively divided into two blocs, the Athenian empire at sea and the Spartan-led Peloponnesian League on land. Neither side was to interfere with the other's allies, and disputes were to be settled by arbitration. The peace allowed Athens to focus on its empire and on the building program of Pericles, including the Parthenon. It lasted about fourteen years, not thirty. Rising tensions over Corinth, Corcyra and Potidaea led to the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War in 431 BC.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Thirty Years' Peace?
The Thirty Years' Peace was a treaty between Athens and Sparta signed in 446 or 445 BC, ending the conflict known as the First Peloponnesian War.
Why did Athens agree to the Thirty Years' Peace?
Athens had suffered setbacks, including the loss of Boeotia and a revolt on Euboea. Pericles negotiated peace to protect Athens' naval empire.
What were the terms of the Thirty Years' Peace?
Athens gave up most of its mainland possessions, and Sparta accepted Athenian control of its naval empire. Neither side was to interfere with the other's allies.
How long did the Thirty Years' Peace last?
Despite its name, the peace lasted only about fourteen years. Rising tensions over Corinth, Corcyra and Potidaea led to the Peloponnesian War in 431 BC.
What did Athens do during the Thirty Years' Peace?
Athens focused on strengthening its empire and on Pericles' building program, including the construction of the Parthenon on the Acropolis.
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