[LibertyMom]

Hi,

I thoroughly enjoy your lectures, thank you.

With regards to the backdrop of the Persian Wars & Athens’ “alliance” with Darius b/c of tensions with Sparta.

Were the Spartans mercenary-like when it came to Athens, fighting on behalf of whomever was in power (e.g., with Cleisthenes then against him in 507)?

Other sources I’ve consulted site Sparta’s concern over Athenian power and/or spreading of democracy.

Any clarification/links are appreciated!

[Jason Jewell]

FourShoes, thanks for your feedback, and I’m sorry to be so slow in answering your question.

I’m not clear on what you mean by Athens’s alliance with Darius. Are you referencing a specific statement in my lecture or in one of the sources like Herodotus?

Sparta’s concern over Athenian power is usually cited as a contributing factor to the beginning of the Peloponnesian War, but of course that’s a couple of generations after the Persian Wars.

Any clarification of your question would be helpful.

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