Built in several phases, they provided a secure connection to the sea even during times of siege . ... The Long Walls were a key element of Athenian military strategy, since they provided the city with a constant link to the sea and thwarted sieges conducted by land alone.
When were the Long Walls of Athens built?
Were built between 461 and 456 bc to connect Athens to her ports, Phaleron and Piraeus. Thucydides (2) records an attempt by enemies of the democracy to stop the building of the Long Walls, i.e. the walls were identified with democracy.
How tall were the Long Walls of Athens?
The two parts of Kerameikos were divided by the western part of the city's circuit wall that was constructed by Themistocles in 479 BC immediately after the Persian Wars. It had a total length of 6500 metres, height 8-10 m , width 3m and had at least 13 gates.
What was a negative consequence mentioned of building walls for Athenians?
What was a negative consequence mentioned of building walls for Athenians? Furthermore, a plague ravaged the city in 430 BC and 429 BC , with its effects being worsened by the fact that the entire population of the city was concentrated inside the walls.
Why did the Greeks build walls and forts?
Fortification walls served multiple purposes for the Greeks. They served as a means of protection from invasion and as markers of territory. Walls were first constructed around the city's Acropolis, to ensure the safety of the most important part of Greek society —their sacred space.
Who was Athens biggest rival?
One of the most famous rivalries arose between the cities of Athens and Sparta . Historians believe this competition contributed to the divisive Peloponnesian Wars that occurred between 431 B.C. and 405 B.C.
Does Athens have a wall around it?
The city of Athens, capital of modern Greece, has had different sets of city walls from the Bronze Age to the early 19th century . The city walls of Athens include: the Mycenaean Cyclopean fortifications of the Acropolis of Athens. the Pelasgic wall at the foot of the Acropolis.
Why did Sparta not have walls?
Sparta was a unique city-state because it did not have any walls. The Spartan's strong army and warrior society removed the need for a wall . The citizens of Sparta were very different than those of a non-military state. Women in Sparta produced vigorous children and were treated with respect by men.
How many Athenians died from the plague?
In 430 BC, a plague struck the city of Athens, which was then under siege by Sparta during the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BC). In the next 3 years, most of the population was infected, and perhaps as many as 75,000 to 100,000 people , 25% of the city's population, died.
How long did it take to rebuild the Acropolis?
Golden Age of the Acropolis
Determined to bring the Acropolis to a level of splendor not seen before, Pericles initiated a massive building project that lasted 50 years . Under his direction, two well-known architects, Callicrates and Ictinus, and renowned sculptor Phidias helped plan and execute the Pericles' plan.
How did Pericles strengthen democracy?
To strengthen democracy, Pericles increased the number of public officials who were paid . Earlier in Athens, most positions were unpaid. This made it hard for less wealthy people to hold government jobs. Now even the poorest citizen could serve if elected.
What were the terms of Athens surrender so strict?
What were the terms for Athenian surrender? Athens would be Sparta's ally, the Long Walls would be destroyed, all but 12 of their ships would be surrendered .
Why did Athens lose the Peloponnesian War?
In 430 BC, an outbreak of a plague hit Athens. The plague ravaged the densely packed city, and in the long run, was a significant cause of its final defeat. The plague wiped out over 30,000 citizens, sailors and soldiers, including Pericles and his sons. Roughly one-third to two-thirds of the Athenian population died.
Why did they build walls in the first place?
It is an ancient idea. People have been building walls since the tenth millennium B.C. The ancient walls were built primarily for defensive purposes . Nowadays, they are built more to prevent immigration, terrorism, or the flow of illegal drugs. ... Another motive is to stem the flow of drugs from across the border.
What is the oldest walled city in the world?
Uruk in ancient Sumer (Mesopotamia) is one of the world's oldest known walled cities. Before that, the proto-city of Jericho in the West Bank had a wall surrounding it as early as the 8th millennium BC. The earliest known town wall in Europe is of Solnitsata, built in the 6th or 5th millennium BC.
What city has a wall around it?
Jerusalem has been surrounded by walls for its defense since ancient times.
