Weekly 4. Peloponnesian Wars Play

The Peloponnesian War

as told by Demetrios and Augustus

written by Kristen Kohles

Demetrios: Hello. Please allow me a brief introduction. My name is Demetrios and I was the assistant to an Athenian general named Pericles.  I lived in Athens, which wasa great naval power. 

Augustus: Hello. My name is Augustus. I am the younger brother to Demetrios and was the assistant to a Spartan general.  I lived in Sparta, which was known for its strong army.  As a result of the conflicts in Greece preceding the Peloponnesian War and the death of our parents, my brother, sister, and I were separated and forced to live in separate cities. My sister, Athena, ended up living in Sparta as a servant and was impregnated by her master. Since he was a married man from an influential family, he forced her and the baby to live a life of solitude. If she told anyone about the baby, her master threatened to kill the baby. Every few weeks, my brother and I would sneak away, carrying with us, weeks of supplies for Athena and the baby as well as some money. She was very lonely but was always grateful to see us and humbled by our generosity.

Augustus: At one time our countries were allies but in 431 BC, this alliance was broken and the Peloponnesian War began and lasted for 27 years. The leaders of Athens were very greedy and were trying to gain control over all of the city-states within Greece. Sparta had to stop Athens from taking control of the country and had to help themselves and other city-states regain their independence. We formed and alliance with Corinth and tried to penetrate the walls of Athens.

Demetrios: Athens was a rich country and had more power than other cities in Greece. Pericles treated me very poorly and often tested my loyalty to Athens. He was becoming more of a dictator to all of his workers and more damaging, he was threatening other city-states. At one time, Pericles tried to make other city-states use Athens money. He tried to control the flow of money in and out of the cities. This was taking a toll on my family since my sister Athena relied on me for her survival.  

Augustus: Since Athens, was becoming so much stronger than other countries and was forcing the rest of us to adhere to their laws, the other city-states began to rebel. The general for which I worked treated my like an equal. I felt much more fortunate than my brother. This war was hard for me & my brother since we were both trying to remain loyal to our respective cities.  For a while, we were concerned that Athens would win. Their strong navy controlled the Mediterranean Sea. 

Demetrios: As I mentioned earlier, Athens was a powerful and wealthy city. We felt safe within our city. Even though our countryside was attacked, our attackers couldn't get into the city. As a result of our strong navy, we were able to leave Athens in our ships to get food and supplies. Since none of the other city-states had a navy like ours, we appeared to be unstoppable.

Augustus: Sparta really resented Athens and Pericles. We were really concerned that we would lose to this naval superpower. However, after much strategizing, we decided it was in our best interest to make a deal with Persia, a former enemy to Athens. The Persians needed land and Sparta needed money. So we traded and used the money (gold) to build our own powerful navy.

Demetrios: As our foes continued to attack the countryside, our living conditions became deplorable. The farmers in the countryside of Athens were forced out by the Spartans and had to move within the city limits of Athens. There was so much poverty. People who were lucky enough to have shelter, were living in crowded, one room shacks. There was very little food to eat. There was no place for the waste to go so people were getting sick and a plague began to spread through Athens. I still choke up as I recall these horrific times. There were so much death and disease surrounding us everywhere. The terrible stench of waste and decay penetrated the air of our once beautiful and wealthy city. This plague caused hundreds of people to die. One of the most known to perish in this tragedy was General Pericles. I wish I could say I was heartbroken over his death but he was greedy and helped start the war that created this death and destruction for Greece.

Augustus: Eventually, Sparta was able to overcome Athens. We had won the war but could not claim victory. Too many people died and many beautiful acres of fields, orchards, and vineyards were ruined.  Our people no longer believed in democracy and our economic systems were failing. The Peloponnesian War left Greece in a vulnerable position. Our country was now much weaker and poorer.

Demetrios: This war was devastating to Greece and left much destruction. However, after the war, my brother, sister, her child and I were able to live together as a family and begin the rebuilding of our lives and our country.