hi iam trying to write an essay on the "origins, nature, activities and organisation of the Peloponnesian League" but i cant find any info from secondary or primary sources, has any1 written an essay on this...hellllllllllp........
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Peloponnesian League (1 Viewer)
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The Bograt
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The Peloponnesian League gave Sparta security as in times of war or revolt by her helot population she could call on her allies to fight and supplement her small population. It also gave security for the other members, and guaranteed aid in the event of an attack from outside the Peloponnese. It opposed tyrannies and favoured oligarchies.
Nature of the League
- Probably emerged out of Spartan supremacy over Argos, which had been the dominant city in the Peloponnese until the end of the sixth century BC. Sparta’s foreign policy until this time was protection against Argos and freedom from tyranny.
- 546 BC Sparta advances on Argos attempting to gain possession of the Thyreatic Plain. Sparta won, and so this removed the only rival to the leadership of the Peloponnese and she was able to build up the Peloponnesian League.
- By the end of the century, every state in the Peloponnese, except Argos and Achaea, was a member.
- Was permanent and the longest lasting of all the Leagues
- Non-withdrawal
- Peloponnesian League was bi-cameral, allies had one vote, and Sparta had the other. Both had to agree for the law to be passed
- The minor states were free but there were many instances of Spartan interference in the internal policies of states, and the foreign policies of members were frequently dictated by Sparta
- The Hellenic League consisted of the Delian League and the Peloponnesian League (478 BC)
Organisation
- Only Sparta could call a meeting of the Congress of Allies, which comprised of two equal bodies
- Assembly of Spartiates
- Congress of Allies – each state had one vote and majority ruled
- Sparta usually only summoned the League when it was fairly sure that the other states would follow her advice. If she was afraid that too many states were against her ideas, she refused to call a meeting
- A Spartan general always led the troops, she could easily refuse to lead the troops and supply a force, this would stop the planned attack
- No tribute was levied except in times of war.
- Obligations of members included:
- Assistance could be demanded by Sparta but not enforced
- The League was defensive and no member could undertake an aggressive war without approval
- Arbitration of disputes among members. Could make war with other members but not while the League’s forces were outside their own area
- A ship-levy could be demanded by Sparta (494 BC Aegina required to supply vessels)
- States provided own general but the commander in chief always a Spartan general
“Allies had to swear to ‘follow the Spartans whithersoever they might lead…It robbed the allies of their eleutheria or freedom to determine their own foreign policy and so converted them into subjects and Sparta into their hegemon”
– P. Cartledge
Activities of the League
- 554 to 500 BC the League was extremely active, but not so much after 500 BC
- During Persian Wars the League stopped business between Aegina and Persia
- 456 BC Aegina fell to Athens and became member of Delian League. Her allies, such as Corinth, Megara, Boetia, Elis and Mantinea, refused to ratify the peace treaty of Nicias. Sparta formed an alliance with Athens. The allies joined in a secret and unofficial alliance with Argos, Sparta’s traditional enemy.
- Sparta prevented the Peloponnesus from having democratic government. If the other states became democratic she would not be able to maintain her oligarchic position and power and would lose common interest with them.
- Peloponnesian League extremely active against the Persians.
- Dissolved probably after the Battle of Leuctra 375 BC
Hope they help
Nature of the League
- Probably emerged out of Spartan supremacy over Argos, which had been the dominant city in the Peloponnese until the end of the sixth century BC. Sparta’s foreign policy until this time was protection against Argos and freedom from tyranny.
- 546 BC Sparta advances on Argos attempting to gain possession of the Thyreatic Plain. Sparta won, and so this removed the only rival to the leadership of the Peloponnese and she was able to build up the Peloponnesian League.
- By the end of the century, every state in the Peloponnese, except Argos and Achaea, was a member.
- Was permanent and the longest lasting of all the Leagues
- Non-withdrawal
- Peloponnesian League was bi-cameral, allies had one vote, and Sparta had the other. Both had to agree for the law to be passed
- The minor states were free but there were many instances of Spartan interference in the internal policies of states, and the foreign policies of members were frequently dictated by Sparta
- The Hellenic League consisted of the Delian League and the Peloponnesian League (478 BC)
Organisation
- Only Sparta could call a meeting of the Congress of Allies, which comprised of two equal bodies
- Assembly of Spartiates
- Congress of Allies – each state had one vote and majority ruled
- Sparta usually only summoned the League when it was fairly sure that the other states would follow her advice. If she was afraid that too many states were against her ideas, she refused to call a meeting
- A Spartan general always led the troops, she could easily refuse to lead the troops and supply a force, this would stop the planned attack
- No tribute was levied except in times of war.
- Obligations of members included:
- Assistance could be demanded by Sparta but not enforced
- The League was defensive and no member could undertake an aggressive war without approval
- Arbitration of disputes among members. Could make war with other members but not while the League’s forces were outside their own area
- A ship-levy could be demanded by Sparta (494 BC Aegina required to supply vessels)
- States provided own general but the commander in chief always a Spartan general
“Allies had to swear to ‘follow the Spartans whithersoever they might lead…It robbed the allies of their eleutheria or freedom to determine their own foreign policy and so converted them into subjects and Sparta into their hegemon”
– P. Cartledge
Activities of the League
- 554 to 500 BC the League was extremely active, but not so much after 500 BC
- During Persian Wars the League stopped business between Aegina and Persia
- 456 BC Aegina fell to Athens and became member of Delian League. Her allies, such as Corinth, Megara, Boetia, Elis and Mantinea, refused to ratify the peace treaty of Nicias. Sparta formed an alliance with Athens. The allies joined in a secret and unofficial alliance with Argos, Sparta’s traditional enemy.
- Sparta prevented the Peloponnesus from having democratic government. If the other states became democratic she would not be able to maintain her oligarchic position and power and would lose common interest with them.
- Peloponnesian League extremely active against the Persians.
- Dissolved probably after the Battle of Leuctra 375 BC
Hope they help