tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26428110.post8678060603427259335..comments2023-07-08T09:00:54.916-07:00Comments on A Common Reader: The Peloponnesian War: the end of (the) history (8:89-109)Dwighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13688525659034403580noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26428110.post-24908000292578489692017-09-02T06:13:12.511-07:002017-09-02T06:13:12.511-07:00I think the deterioration in quality of leadership...I think the deterioration in quality of leadership for both Athens and Sparta over the course of the war is one of the more interesting aspects of the book. The Persian question could be an extended chapter for any time period you choose related to the war. One point that immediately springs to mind.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.livius.org/sources/content/thucydides/the-treaties-between-persia-and-sparta/" rel="nofollow">Livius.org</a> has an article on the Spartan treaties with Persia at the end of the war, detailing Sparta's embarrassing agreements. I'd disagree with their assessment that Sparta had no alternative...it was a question of what Sparta wanted and what it was willing to do and willing to give up for a short-sighted goal.<br /><br />An interesting comparison to the Spartan treaties at the end of the war would be the Athenian treaty with Persia in 449 BC (the Callias treaty). At that time, Athens could negotiate from a position of strength. 35+ years later and Sparta has little to offer Persia except Greek possessions.Dwighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13688525659034403580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26428110.post-56053005980691375742017-09-01T15:19:18.714-07:002017-09-01T15:19:18.714-07:00Do you have any perspectives on whether the Atheni...Do you have any perspectives on whether the Athenian and Spartan leaders effectively took account of Persia in their strategic thinking?DorAndhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10950049638355094320noreply@blogger.com