Discussion Forum Unit 5

Just like Greece, Italy was composed of several city states. In Unit 3, you studied about the
Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta and how Sparta came to dominate Athens and
the other Greek city-states as well. Similarly, Rome also embarked on a journey to conquer and
consolidate the cities in the Italian Peninsula as well as the neighboring kingdom of Carthage.

According to you, what were the similarities and differences between Sparta’s purpose in the
Peloponnesian War and that of Rome against city states in Italy and the city of Carthage?

Similarities between Sparta's purpose in the Peloponnesian War and Rome's purpose
against city-states in Italy and the city of Carthage:

The numerous battles fought between Carthage and Rome during the First Punic War in the third
century BCE, most notably the battle of the Aegates Islands, a naval battle that effectively
decided the outcome of the war in Rome's favor, with far-reaching and long-lasting
consequences, particularly in relation to the Second Punic War (Nash, 2018).

According to me, Sparta and Rome both tried to establish control and expand their influence over
competing states, resulting in military battles in both cases. Sparta's goal in the Peloponnesian
War was to impose its supremacy over Athens and its Delian League allies, whom Sparta saw as
a threat to its power and influence in the region. Sparta's goal was to demolish the Athenian
empire and retake control of the Greek city-states. This goal for supremacy and control parallels
Rome's objectives in its confrontations with Italian city-states and the city of Carthage.

I believe that Sparta and Rome both were skillful at using diplomacy and alliances, and they
were able to build powerful and efficient bureaucracies that allowed them to efficiently manage
their territories. Both powers relied significantly on their armies to achieve their objectives, and
they were able to adjust their tactics and strategies to the unique challenges given by their
adversaries.

Differences between Sparta's purpose in the Peloponnesian War and Rome's purpose
against city-states in Italy and the city of Carthage:

According to my point of view, Sparta was driven by a desire to maintain dominance in the
region, whereas Rome was driven by a desire to extend its territory and establish an empire. -
Sparta desired dominion over the Greek city-states, whilst Rome sought to conquer the Italian
peninsula and Carthage.

The nature of the disputes is one significant difference. The Peloponnesian War principally
involved two major Greek kingdoms, Athens and Sparta, as well as many coalitions and city-
states. Sparta led the Peloponnesian League against Athens and its allies in what was essentially
a Greek civil war. The two Greek powers had fundamental ideological and political
disagreements that fueled the battle.

Rome's confrontations with city-states in Italy and Carthage were part of the larger expansionist
and imperialist policies of the Roman Empire. By absorbing or subjugating different city-states
and tribes, Rome sought to expand its power and control over the Italian peninsula. Rome's goals
in the case of Carthage were driven by competition for trade routes, resources, and the desire to
establish control in the nations.

References:

Nash, J. (2018). Sea Power in the Peloponnesian War. Naval War College Review, 71(1), 119-
139.