While millennia have passed since the Peloponnesian War, many of the themes from that conflict resonate strongly with the contemporary Russia-Ukraine conflict and US foreign policy.
The Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE), fought between the Athenian Empire and the Peloponnesian League led by Sparta, offers timeless lessons about the complexities of war, politics, and the delicate balance of power between nations. By examining these parallels, we can understand how ancient history can inform our approach to contemporary geopolitical struggles.
The role of power and balance of power politics
The underlying cause of the Peloponnesian War was the shifting balance of power in Greece. Athens, with its growing empire and naval supremacy, posed a threat to Sparta’s dominance. Sparta, fearful of Athenian power and the spread of democracy, sought to curtail Athens’ influence. This resulted in a protracted and destructive war. This war demonstrated the dangers of power imbalances and the lengths to which a dominant state might go to preserve its status.
A similar dynamic is at play in the Russia-Ukraine war. Russia views Ukraine’s growing ties with NATO and the European Union as a threat to its sphere of influence. Just as Athens’ imperial expansion was perceived as destabilizing by its rivals, Russia perceives NATO’s encroachment eastward as a threat to its national security and regional hegemony. This situation is known as the Thucydides Trap, a term which describes the tendency towards war when an emerging power threatens to displace an existing great power. The US, as a NATO ally, finds itself involved in the conflict. This is a similar situation to that of Athens’ allies in the Peloponnesian War.
The complexities of intervention and alliances
Throughout the Peloponnesian War, Athens intervened in various conflicts outside of its borders. It sought to expand its influence and safeguard its interests. Russia has been trying to expand its borders during the war in Ukraine, under the banner of protecting minorities in Donbas and stabilising its national security. Similarly, the US has often been drawn into foreign conflicts to expand its influence under the banner of protecting democracy and maintaining regional stability. Athens’ intervention in the war on the side of its allies often backfired, leading to costly military engagements, strained alliances, and eventual defeat.
In the Russia-Ukraine war, the US has provided substantial military and financial aid to Ukraine. While this intervention has been vital in helping Ukraine resist Russian aggression, it has also led to rising tensions between NATO and Russia. The US, like Athens in the Peloponnesian War, is faced with a delicate task: to support an ally while managing the risk of escalation. The situation in Ukraine reflects the difficulties of interventionism. With interventions, well-intentioned support for one party can escalate a conflict and invite broader consequences.
The Melian dialogue: Naivety in alliances and the “might makes right” doctrine
One poignant episode in the Peloponnesian War is known as the Melian Dialogue. The Melians, a neutral city-state, hoped that their appeal to justice and their alliance with Sparta would deter Athens from attacking them. However, Athens, following the doctrine of “might makes right,” rejected the Melians’ plea. With overwhelming military force, they laid siege to the city, ultimately massacring its inhabitants.
The Melians’ faith in Spartan support and their naive belief that morality would outweigh power proved to be misplaced. Athens, embodying harsh political realism, demonstrated that the stronger state imposes its will, regardless of right or justice.
This lesson in the Peloponnesian war is strikingly relevant to the Russia-Ukraine war. Ukraine, much like the Melians, hoped that the West would be able to deter Russian aggression through military support. Russia, just like Athens in the Melian Dialogue, has made it clear that it is willing to use force to achieve its strategic goals. At the same time the USA, while claiming to be an ally, is unwilling to intervene to a point that would damage its own interests.
The importance of public opinion and morale
One of the most striking aspects of the Peloponnesian War was the role of public opinion and morale in determining the outcome of key battles. Athens, for example, suffered from internal divisions and shifting public opinion about the war’s aims and progress. A key turning point in the war was the Athenian failure in Sicily, a disastrous military campaign that significantly eroded public support for the war. The inability to maintain morale and unity at home contributed to Athens’ eventual defeat.
In the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the role of public opinion has been crucial, especially in nations like the US and Ukraine. The support for Ukraine in the US has been a driving force behind Western aid and sanctions against Russia. However, just as Athens faced challenges in maintaining internal support for the war, the US faces the challenge of sustaining long-term support for continued involvement in Ukraine, particularly as costs mount and the war drags on.
The impact of leadership and decision-making
The leadership during the Peloponnesian War had a profound influence on the course of events. Figures like Pericles, who initially led Athens with vision and strategic foresight, contrasted sharply with later leaders such as Cleon or Nicias, who made impulsive and poorly considered decisions, including the failed Sicilian Expedition. Leadership can shape not only military strategy but also the morale and success of the war effort.
In the Russia-Ukraine war, leadership has been similarly critical. For Russians, Vladimir Putin has acted as a unifying figure. He has consolidated national sentiment and projected resilience despite international isolation. We can draw a parallel between him and Pericles. The latter kept Athens unified in the early stages of the Peloponnesian War. In contrast, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, once widely seen as a symbol of national defiance, has seen his internal support erode over time. That’s because prolonged war, hardships and casualties have gradually stripped away public trust. Just like in the Peloponnesian War, the way leaders manage public morale, resources and strategic goals in the Russia-Ukraine war will ultimately shape the fate of the conflict.
Another striking parallel lies in the nature of leadership itself. Thucydides described Pericles’ Athens as a democracy in name, but “in fact ruled by the first man.” Similarly, Vladimir Putin, through democratic structures, has consolidated power to the extent that Russia functions more as a personalized regime. His strategic dominance mirrors Pericles’ command over Athenian politics. The will of the leader steered the actions of the state. It shaped both the course of war and the fate of the nation.
The long-term consequences of war
The Peloponnesian War ended with the fall of Athens, marking the end of the golden age of Greek civilization. The war left a lasting scar on Greece, with many of its city-states weakened and divided. The lesson here is the enduring impact of war on a nation’s social, political, and economic fabric.
The Russia-Ukraine war, while still ongoing, has already had profound consequences for the global order, particularly in Europe. In addition to the immense human toll, the conflict has led to economic sanctions, energy crises and shifting alliances. Even if the war ends with a settlement, the long-term effects on Russia, Ukraine and the broader world will likely be felt for decades.
The Russia-Ukraine war offers valuable lessons that resonate with the ancient Peloponnesian War.
It highlights how, in war, the stronger power often dictates terms with little regard for justice. While the US is not directly involved in the Russia-Ukraine war, its decisions have significant consequences, in the same way that Athens’ decisions in the Peloponnesian War had lasting impact.
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