Editing Peace of Nicias (section)

==Aftermath and Effectiveness==
There is a discussion regarding the effectiveness of the Peace of Nicias, and the factors that led to the treaty being broken, failing to meet the expectation of lasting for 50 years. The treaties were considered useless from the beginning, due to the prevailing atmosphere of hostility among numerous former enemies, with most of the terms of the agreement being ignored or only partially executed. Even though Thucydides indicated that the treaty lasted around six years and ten months, during which both polis attacked each other’s territories <ref>[[Thucydides]], ''[[History of the Peloponnesian War]]'', Book 5, chapter 25</ref>, some scholars suggest that the treaty broke much earlier, since Athenian and Spartan forces encountered each other at Mantineia around 3 years after the Peace of Nicias was established <ref>Legon, Ronald P. “The Peace of Nicias.” Journal of Peace Research 6, no. 4 (1969): 323–34. https://doi.org/10.1177/002234336900600403.</ref>. 

Several factors led to the peace treaty failing quickly. Most historians have noted that the militant factions in both Athens and Sparta gained power shortly after the truce was signed. They have accused these groups of undermining a compromise negotiated by their more conciliatory counterparts. <ref>Legon, Ronald P. “The Peace of Nicias.” Journal of Peace Research 6, no. 4 (1969): 323–34. https://doi.org/10.1177/002234336900600403.</ref>. As a result, the treaty fell short of the expected duration of 50 years as, the ambition of both Athens and Sparta escalated after the military forces assumed power, leading to dissatisfaction and the collapse of the peace treaty. 

Another factor was the opposition from the allies of Sparta, including Boeotia, Corinth, Megara and Elis. Based on Thucydides's description, the representatives of Sparta’s allies were present in Lacedaemon, and the Spartans ordered those who had not yet ratified the treaty to do so. However, these allies for the same reasons they had initially rejected it, refused to accept it unless a more equitable agreement could be reached. <ref>[[Thucydides]], ''[[History of the Peloponnesian War]]'', Book 5, chapter 22</ref> The peace treaty turned out to be a huge disadvantage for some allies of Sparta. Those who had suffered were unable to reclaim their territories lost in the Peloponnesian War, while Athens and its allies’ sought to retain their land, leading to the loss of gains for the victorious allies due to Athens’ demand. 

According to Thucydides, Boeotia refused to return both the Athenian captives captured during the Peloponnesian War, and the border fortress of Panactum acquired in 422 to the Athenians. It is suggested that the Boeotians, under the leadership of the Thebans, significantly enhanced their power, reputation, and ambition throughout the war, particularly after their pivotal role in defeating the Athenians at Delium. These successes happened when Athens was engaged in a major conflict with the Peloponnesians, threatening Theban's position with the Peace of Nicias. <ref>Kagan, Donald. "1. A Troubled Peace" In The Peace of Nicias and the Sicilian Expedition, 19-32. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 2013.</ref> Therefore, it is likely that Boeotia was dissatisfied with the treaty, as it did not align with the gains that they had achieved in the aftermath of the first Peloponnesian War, and signing the treaty hardly fulfilled their ambitions. Furthermore, the Peace of Nicias allowed Athens to shift focus from the warfare with Sparta to dealing with and pressure on Boeotia, enabling them to reclaim their losses from the first Peloponnesian War.

From Corinth’s perspective, none of the issues that triggered Corinth to join the first Peloponnesian War were resolved. Firstly, Potidaea, a colony of Corinth, was firmly in Athenian hands, forcing its inhabitants, descendants of Corinthian immigrants, to leave their homes. Furthermore, another colony of Corinth, Corcyra, stayed allied to Athens, while Megara, Corinth's neighbour, was terrified by the Athenian force at Nisaea. In addition, Corinth had lost territory in the northwest. With Sollium and Anactorium remaining under enemy control, and Corinthian influence in the area being diminished. Therefore, Corinth considered that only the defeat of Athens would allow them to regain their former position, leading the Corinthians to reject the peace and attempt to disturb the resulting diplomatic situation.<ref>Kagan, Donald. "1. A Troubled Peace" In The Peace of Nicias and the Sicilian Expedition, 19-32. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 2013.</ref> 

For Megara, the agriculture land had been repeatedly destroyed in the warfare, and the city was nearly taken over by the Athenians. Moreover, its major port on the Saronic Gulf, Nisaea had fallen into Athenian hands, and the terms of the Peace of Nicias did not guarantee its return to Megara, which posed a danger to Megara's economy and defence. <ref>Kagan, Donald. "1. A Troubled Peace" In The Peace of Nicias and the Sicilian Expedition, 19-32. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 2013.</ref> 
From Elis' perspective, they were displeased with Sparta's actions, believing that the Spartans had taken one of their cities in the name of protection, and signed an agreement with Athens to refrain from interfering in the war, even if their allies were under attack. Furthermore, Elis disapproved of Sparta’s controlling stance in alliance decisions, particularly regarding the issue of the Argives. <ref>[[Thucydides]], ''[[History of the Peloponnesian War]]'', Book 5, chapter 23</ref> The dissatisfaction with Sparta's decision caused Elis to refuse to agree on the Peace of Nicias, contributing to the treaty’s vulnerabilities and eventual breakdown.

Despite the situation and the loss of these allies, they were keen to reject the Peace of Nicias, even as Sparta pressured the Peloponnesian League to join the treaty. By agreeing to the treaties without consideration and achieving the allies’ requirements, Sparta lost the trust of its allies, which worsened the relationships between the polis. As a result, uncertainties arose, since the polis that refused to sign the treaty could potentially face conflict with or be attacked by Athens, as the unresolved conflicts from the first Peloponnesian War persisted.