European History from the Greeks to 1351

The Greeks

Athenian league and Spartan league come about after the Persian wars, and this causes conflict as the two Greek states are competing for territory. The beginning of the Peloponnesian war (431-416 and 415-404). The Athenian navy blockades Sparta and puts a choke on trade. The Spartan Army simply sets out and begins to burn Athenian crops. After a few years, the Plague breaks out in Athens, killing about 1/3 of all Athenians. Pericles dies of the plague, causing a military decline in the Athenian might. In about 416 the two sides call a truce, which only lasts for about a year, then they begin to fight again. In the year 404 Athens is forced to surrender but only after losing many soldiers on both sides. After the war there is almost no Army left at all. Greece begins to decline in the year 404.

Philip of Macedon.

Created a professional military that was not forced but who chose to fight. He creates the Phalanx formation; a tight shock-style troop who figh...