Sparta invades Attica (431 BCE)
431 BCEAttica
2,455.9 years ago
In 431 BCE the Spartan king Archidamus II invaded Attica with his army, opening the first phase of the Peloponnesian War.
The opening phase, called the Ten Years' War or the Archidamian War, began in 431 BC when the Spartan king Archidamus II invaded Attica with his army.
From Wikipedia, Peloponnesian War (opens en.wikipedia.org), as of 2026-08-22.
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What happened
The first ten years of the war are called the Archidamian War (431–421 BCE), after the Spartan king Archidamus II.
The first years of the war are known as the Archidamian War (431–421 BC), after Sparta's king Archidamus II.
From Wikipedia, Peloponnesian War (opens en.wikipedia.org), as of 2026-08-22.
The war’s first attack was by the Thebans on Plataea, an Athenian outpost, on 4 April 431 BCE.
The first attack was by the Thebans on the Athenian outpost at Plataea, on 4 April 431 BC.
From Wikipedia, Peloponnesian War (opens en.wikipedia.org), as of 2026-08-22.
Sparta’s strategy was to invade the land around Athens, depriving Athenians of their productive farmland.
The Spartan strategy during the Archidamian War was to invade the land around Athens. While this invasion deprived Athenians of the productive land around their city
From Wikipedia, Peloponnesian War (opens en.wikipedia.org), as of 2026-08-22.
Many people of Attica abandoned their farms and moved inside the Long Walls, which joined Athens to its port of Piraeus.
Many of the citizens of Attica abandoned their farms and moved inside the Long Walls, which connected Athens to its port of Piraeus.
From Wikipedia, Peloponnesian War (opens en.wikipedia.org), as of 2026-08-22.
Spartans occupied Attica only three weeks at a time. In the tradition of earlier hoplite warfare, soldiers were expected home for the harvest.
The Spartans also occupied Attica for periods of only three weeks at a time; in the tradition of earlier hoplite warfare, the soldiers were expected to go home to participate in the harvest.
From Wikipedia, Peloponnesian War (opens en.wikipedia.org), as of 2026-08-22.
How Athens answered
Pericles advised Athenians to avoid open battle with the more numerous, better trained Spartan hoplites and to rely on the fleet.
The Athenian strategy was initially guided by the strategos, or general, Pericles, who advised the Athenians to avoid open battle with the far more numerous and better trained Spartan hoplites, relying instead on the fleet.
From Wikipedia, Peloponnesian War (opens en.wikipedia.org), as of 2026-08-22.
Athens kept its access to the sea and did not suffer much from the Spartan invasion.
While this invasion deprived Athenians of the productive land around their city, Athens maintained access to the sea, and did not suffer much.
From Wikipedia, Peloponnesian War (opens en.wikipedia.org), as of 2026-08-22.
At the end of the first year of the war, Pericles gave his famous Funeral Oration (431 BCE).
At the end of the first year of the war, Pericles gave his famous Funeral Oration (431 BC).
From Wikipedia, Peloponnesian War (opens en.wikipedia.org), as of 2026-08-22.
Later invasions
The longest Spartan invasion, in 430 BCE, lasted just 40 days.
The longest Spartan invasion, in 430 BC, lasted just 40 days.
From Wikipedia, Peloponnesian War (opens en.wikipedia.org), as of 2026-08-22.
Fear of the plague made Sparta abandon an invasion of Attica, its troops unwilling to risk contact with the sick.
The fear of plague was so widespread that the Spartan invasion of Attica was abandoned, their troops being unwilling to risk contact with the diseased enemy.
From Wikipedia, Peloponnesian War (opens en.wikipedia.org), as of 2026-08-22.
After Sphacteria, Athens resolved to execute its captured Spartans if a Peloponnesian army invaded Attica again.
The Athenians jailed Sphacterian hostages in Athens and resolved to execute the captured Spartans if a Peloponnesian army invaded Attica again.
From Wikipedia, Peloponnesian War (opens en.wikipedia.org), as of 2026-08-22.
Related
Events
- 431 BCEThebans attack Plataea and the war begins
- 430 BCEPlague breaks out in Athens
- 431/430 BCEAthens holds a public funeral for its first war dead
- 429 BCEPericles dies
Words about it
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