Archidamus and Pericles during the Greek Wars
Pericles of Athens and Archidamus of Sparta devised net assessments that both believed would provide strategies that would bring victory and peace for their respective states. This essay will show that Archidamus did a better job of net assessment prior to the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War. A clear definition and understanding of net assessment is necessary. Prof Thomas Mahnken of the Naval War College, provided the following definition: "Net assessment is a process that helps you understand the nature of the war upon which you are embarking, identify your comparative advantage, and devise a strategy to capitalize upon your strength and exploit your enemy's weakness" (Mahnken, Student Handout, p. 1). This definition can be broken down into three elements, 1) understanding the nature of the war, 2) identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the enemy to identify a comparative advantage, and 3) devise a strategy to achieve victory. I will touch on these elements, other key principles, and the history of the war itself as the foundation to support my argument. Before examining the main issue, it is important to note the goals in which the two leaders in question are attempting to achieve with their respective speeches
Archidamus was fighting an up hill battle in an attempt to buy time, which would favor, in his assessment, a better long-term strategy for victory. Pericles net assessment led to a strategy that history shows was filled with flaws. Indeed, the war ended up being a long protracted war were the outcome was uncertain at many stages of the war. We begin with a brief description and interpretation of the assessment Archidamus put forth to the assembly in 432 BC. While the farmers where behind the walls, the Athenian navy and its allies would ravage the Peloponnesian coast to harass the enemy and remind the enemy of the power that Athens had in its navy. The strategy employed by the Spartans and their allies at the outset of the war was not based on an understanding of the nature of the war or the assessment of Archidamus. It was not until years into the war when Sparta found foreign resources that they gained the advantage needed to defeat Athens. Although the Spartan army posed no threat to the Athenian people while they were safe behind the walls of Athens, Pericles failed to understand the psychological and physical impact that this strategy would have on his own people. and the impact these goals may have had on their assessments. Some would argue that the assessment of Pericles produced a sound strategy and it is unfair to blame the friction of war, his untimely death and elements beyond Pericles control as being the cause of its failure. Archidamus goal was to convince the Spartans that the time was not right for war, and if the Spartans were to go to war unprepared, they would certainly meet with disaster. The means that Archidamus recommended to prepare for war were to acquire more allies, even "the barbarians" if possible, and to develop more home resources (Thucydides, The Landmark Thucydides, p. In addition, there are flaws to the assessment put forth by Archidamus. Athens, being a dominant sea power, controlled the Aegean Seas and sea lines of communication.
Common topics in this essay:
Landmark Thucydides,
Athens Spartans,
Student Handout,
Peloponnesian War,
Attica Athens,
Sea Archidamus,
Origins War,
Thucydides Indeed,
War Archidamus,
Simply Pericles,
nature war,
understanding nature war,
understanding nature,
thucydides landmark thucydides,
thucydides landmark,
landmark thucydides,
net assessment,
peloponnesian war,
spartans allies,
pericles assessment,
strategy pericles,
assessment pericles,
landmark thucydides 46,
strategy achieve victory,
spartans ravaged lands,
|
Acceptance Essays
