Materials

• Class notes (see bolded text in Instructional Activities below)
• Overhead projector (optional)
• Teacher-selected reading, worksheet, or activity

Instructional Activities

NOTE: The following Web resource may be helpful in teaching this session:

• “The Peloponnesian War.” <http://history.boisestate.edu/westciv/peloponn/>.

1. Review content covered to this point in the unit.
   
   
2. Remind students of the conversation from the previous session about countries or areas having a positive or negative relationship depending on circumstances. Explain that during the Persian Wars, Athens and Sparta were united against the Persians. Following the wars, Athens and Sparta again become enemies. Provide a brief history of the Peloponnesian War. (The Web site above, titled “The Peloponnesian War: Index,” may be of assistance in preparing this history.)
   
   
3. Put the following notes on the board or overhead:
   
        Athens and the Delian League and Sparta and the Peloponnesian League competed for control of the Greek world in the Peloponnesian War. Sparta won the war.
   
        The outcome of the Peloponnesian War resulted in the slowing of cultural advances and the weakening of political power.
   
   
4. Discuss the outcome of this war. Provide an explanation of the impact of the defeat of Athens to Greek culture. Include in the discussion the reasons Sparta won. Encourage students to consider what may have happened if Athens had won.
   
   
5. Assign a teacher-selected reading, worksheet, or other reinforcement activity, using available teacher resources.