The Peloponnesian War Symbols, Allegory and Motifs

The Peloponnesian War Symbols, Allegory and Motifs

Sparta’s victory

Sparta's victory is used symbolically to represent the military tactical superiority in war. The author uses the war to symbolize the modern strategies employed by military personnel to defeat enemies. To ensure victory, the Spartan army surrounded the strategic regions of Athens and built campsites for its troops. The deliberate attacks by the Spartan army ensured its victory.

Betrayal

Betrayal is embodied by the disloyalty of some Athenian soldiers who decided to prioritize personal interests in the war. For instance, General Alcibiades is the perfect example of treachery with the Athenian army, who decided to go against his superiors to demonstrate his superiority. Paradoxically, Alcibiades forgets that the Spartan army uses his betrayal as a competitive advantage against the Athenian army.

The Disease

In the middle of the war, a strange disease strikes Athens, and most of the soldiers and citizens die. The author symbolically uses the disease to represent misfortune. The Spartan army took advantage of the disease to wreak havoc and defeat the Athenian Army.

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