Beginning of the Peloponnesian War

When the thirty-year truce ended, war broke out between Athens and Sparta—the Peloponnesian War would last nearly thirty years. Pericles knew Athens was weaker on land, so he advised everyone to shelter behind the walls while the fleet attacked by sea. Spartans burned empty farms while Athenians watched from the Acropolis. The Athenian fleet raided the Peloponnesus. Before a sea battle, a solar eclipse occurred. Pericles, taught by Anaxagoras, understood it was just the moon blocking the sun. He explained by throwing his cloak over the pilot's head. His men were calm; the superstitious Spartans were terrified. Athens won, and Pericles gave an eloquent funeral oration.