The Peloponnesian War: Athens, Sparta, and the Struggle for Greece

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Macmillan, 2006 M07 25 - 318 pages
The Peloponnesian War, the epic struggle between Athens and Sparta, occupies a vital part in military history because of the enormous military and political changes it inspired. In this brilliant book, Sir Nigel Bagnall sets out to analyze and clarify the war, describing in compelling detail the events that led up to it. His meticulous attention to historical context offers a refreshing contrast to traditional accounts.
The conflict lasted from 431 to 404 B.C., until the confederation led by Sparta finally conquered Athens and her allies. Bagnall dissects the complex relationship between the two states and closely studies their political conduct in the run-up to war, offering a riveting account of the strategy and tactics involved.
He also outlines its innovations and lessons, which would have enormous military repercussions for future generations. These include the importance of having clear politico-strategic objectives, the interplay of maritime and land operations, and the problems of achieving cohesion in an alliance in which all the participants see themselves as fellow citizens.
The Peloponnesian War is an important book that shines new light on an always relevant subject.

From inside the book

Contents

An Historical Survey
4
The Greeks and Their Background
45
The Persians and Their Background
68
The Expeditions of Mardonius and Darius 493490 BC
76
Xerxes Invades 480 BC
84
The InterWar Years 480431 BC S
112
The Central Theatre 431423 BC
131
The Overseas Theatres 431423 BC
167
An Unquiet Peace 421415 BC
183
The Expedition to Sicily 415 BC
201
Gylippus Turns the Tide 414413 BC
224
Persian Intervention and Political Unrest in Athens
252
The Struggle for the Hellespont and the Fall of Athens
279
Epilogue
303
Selected Further Reading
310
Copyright

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About the author (2006)

Sir Nigel Bagnall was born in India in 1927. He joined the British Army in 1945 and served in Palestine, Malaya, Borneo, the Canal Zone, Cyprus, Singapore, and Germany. He ended his distinguished military career as chief of the General Staff in London, and went on to become an honorary fellow of Balliol College, Oxford. He died in 2002.

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