--- title: The Pentecontaetia author: Christopher Planeaux source: https://www.worldhistory.org/The_Pentecontaetia/ format: machine-readable-alternate license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) updated: 2026-01-07 --- # The Pentecontaetia _Authored by [Christopher Planeaux](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/alkibiades410/)_ The Pentecontaetia (Pentekontætia, πεντηκονταετία) or “the account of the fifty years” is a term first used by [Thucydides](https://www.worldhistory.org/Thucydides/) to describe, in Book 1, Sections 89 to 117 (1.89-117) of his *History of the [Peloponnesian War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Peloponnesian_War/),* the period between the [Battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) of [Plataea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Plataea/) in 479 BCE to the start of the Peloponnesian [War](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) in 432 BCE. The historian sought to describe how the Athenians “had become so powerful” (1.89.1) and to highlight those key events he believed most alarmed the Spartans and led to the Peloponnesian War. The period is widely considered as the “Golden Age of [Athens](https://www.worldhistory.org/Athens/)” when many of ancient [Greece](https://www.worldhistory.org/greece/)'s greatest works were produced in [architecture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/architecture/), engineering, the arts, history, astronomy, and [philosophy](https://www.worldhistory.org/philosophy/). Thucydides further explains he had also “written about it and have made this digression” to correct the “very brief and inaccurate” chronology of Hellanicus of [Lesbos](https://www.worldhistory.org/lesbos/) (1.97.2), his contemporary, who wrote the first *Atthis* or *“*local history of Attica.” Thucydides also desired to draw clear distinctions between the “stated reasons” (lit. accusations or complaints) for the war and what he considered the “actual causes” (lit. truest explanation or motive). Most scholars agree that this section of Thucydides' narrative stood incomplete and unpolished at the time of his [death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/). The only other extant account of this time period, which survives today, remains [Diodorus Siculus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Diodorus_Siculus/) Book 11, Section 39 to Book 12, Section 28 (11.39-12.28). ### Dating the Pentacontaetia Thucydides begins with the Siege of Sestos (479 BCE) and ends with the Capitulation of [Samos](https://www.worldhistory.org/samos/) (439 BCE), so he covers only 40 years. He had, however, also discussed other events before the digression – such as the Epidamnus Affair, the [Corinth](https://www.worldhistory.org/corinth/)-[Corcyra](https://www.worldhistory.org/corcyra/) Conflict, (435 BCE) as well as the Revolt and Siege of Poteidaia (433/2 BCE). He then describes the entire series of events taking place for “about 50 years” (1.118.2). The Pentacontaetia began after the Persian Wars, with an offensive-defensive alliance of Greek *poleis* against Persia - The [Delian League](https://www.worldhistory.org/Delian_League/) - but, within 30 years, it had morphed into an Athenian Hegemony and then one of Athenian Rule, where the League's resources became focused more on advancing Athenian desires at home and abroad rather than stopping or checking the might of Persia. Scholars typically divide this period into three phases, the first 15 years (479/8-465/4 BCE), the middle 20 years (465/4 – 445/4 BCE), and then the final 15 years (445/4 – 431/0 BCE). They define these phases by known “fixed points,” i.e. key events we can securely and firmly date, as opposed to clear changes in the direction of historical events. We [mark](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Mark/) the end of the first phase with [Pausanias](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Pausanias/) (4.24.5) and Diodorus (11.70.1). They each date the Revolt of the Peloponnesian Helots to the 1st Year of the 79th Olympiad during the Archonship of Archidemedes. This dating more or less agrees with Thucydides: 465/4 BCE. We mark the end of the second phase with the Thirty Year's Peace between Athens and [Sparta](https://www.worldhistory.org/sparta/), which, according to Thucydides (1.87.6; 2.2.1, 21.1), occurred in the Winter Months during the Archonship of Kallimachos – with which Diodorus agrees (12.7). Pausanias confirms the date – indicating the Peace took place in the 3rd Year of the 83rd Olympiad: 445/4 BCE. The third and final phase ends with the first invasion of Attica by Sparta, the latter, which Thucydides attests (2.2.1) began the 15th year of the Thirty Years Peace during the final two months of Pythodorus's Archonship: 431/0 BCE. Scholars, however, still debate the dates of occurrence and/or the chronological order for many events within each phase, as Thucydides does not in fact provide indicators for the bulk of them. In some cases, he dates events only in relation to other events. For example, we can date the Samian War to 441/0 BCE, since Thucydides tells us it unfolded during the 6th year of the Thirty Years Peace (1.115.2). [ ![Peloponnesian War](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/1260.png?v=1776249031) Peloponnesian War Marsyas (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/1260/peloponnesian-war/ "Peloponnesian War")### The Key Events of the Pentacontaetia Scholars occasionally doubt the historicity of some events, most notably the “Peace of Kallias.” They also continually weigh the significance of other events, as well as the significance of several omissions in Thucydides' narrative, such as the Thirty Years Truce between [Argos](https://www.worldhistory.org/argos/) and Sparta. Historians and Classicists must reconstruct a more thorough accounting of the Pentacontaetia using epigraphic evidence (e.g. The Tribute Lists) and sporadic references to the time period in other authors such as [Plutarch](https://www.worldhistory.org/plutarch/) and Pausanias or notations made by various ancient commentators. Scholars typically analyze events of this period topically: the External Policy and Actions of Athens, the Organization and Mechanizations of the Delian League, the Internal History of Athens, Biographical Accounts, and, finally, the Cultural History. **The first phase (479/8-465/4 BCE)** includes united – or cooperative – Greek military operations to recover Persian dominated *poleis* as well as to free areas of Northern Greece and [Asia Minor](https://www.worldhistory.org/Asia_Minor/), which includes reducing [piracy](https://www.worldhistory.org/Piracy/) in the [Aegean](https://www.worldhistory.org/aegean/). It also notes the formation of the Delian League itself to the secession of Thasos. This phase also concerns the rebuilding of Athens' [City](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) Walls and beginning construction of walls around [Peiraieus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Piraeus/). Thucydides also notes the recall of the Spartan Pausanias and the [ostracism](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ostracism/) of the Athenian Themistokles. **The second phase (465/4 – 445/4 BCE)** includes the surrender of Thasos, Athenian led operations in Ithome, Tanagra and elsewhere, and the [Egyptian](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Egyptian/) Expedition. It also notes the expansion of the League, the relocation of the treasury from [Delos](https://www.worldhistory.org/delos/) to Athens, the “Peace of Kallias,” and the “First Peloponnesian War.” This phase also concerns the building of Athens' Long Walls to [Piraeus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Piraeus/), the restriction of her citizenship franchise, the establishment of various Athenian settlements, and the construction of the [Parthenon](https://www.worldhistory.org/parthenon/). Thucydides also notes the ostracism and subsequent recall of the Athenian Kimon and the rise to prominence of the Athenian [Pericles](https://www.worldhistory.org/pericles/). **The third phase (445/4 – 431/0 BCE)** includes Athenian operations against Samos, Pontos, Leukimme, Sybota, and Poteidaia. It also notes the attempt by Athens to institute a single [coinage](https://www.worldhistory.org/coinage/) and common system of weights and measures, the foundation of Athenian colonies at Thurii, [Amphipolis](https://www.worldhistory.org/Amphipolis/) and elsewhere, and the installing of Athenian Magistrates in Delian League member *poleis*. This phase also concerns the dedication of [Athena](https://www.worldhistory.org/athena/) Parthenos and the building of the [Propylaea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Propylaea/). Thucydides also notes the ostracism of his namesake the Athenian Thucydides son of Melesias and the dominance of Pericles in Athenian affairs. [ ![Pericles](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/1246.jpg?v=1751757014) Pericles Mark Cartwright (CC BY-NC-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/1246/pericles/ "Pericles")The general thrust of Athenian actions during the whole of the Pentecontaetia appeared aimed at establishing some form of political unity and peace for the bulk of the [Hellenic world](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hellenic_World/). Athenians used a variety of actions and tools to accomplish this goal: encouragement and enticement, political pressure, treaties, force, garrisons, [colonization](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/colonization/), suppression of revolts, elimination of local currency, and the unification of laws. Many Greek *poleis* came to see Athenian actions as increasingly infringing on both their autonomy and liberty and thus a metamorphosis from a synodic League of equal member *poleis* to an Athenian Hegemony finally to a collection of mere tributaries under Athenian Rule. ### Omissions By Thucydides Thucydides, however, remains silent on the great building programs both in Athens and [Eleusis](https://www.worldhistory.org/Eleusis/) and the development and expansion of Athenian festivals, especially the Panathenaia, nor does he mention the transfer of the League treasury to Athens – all of which illustrate clearly how Athenians used League resources more and more to glorify Athens and advance Athenian causes. Thucydides omits as well several (apparently significant) military operations about the Aegean in addition to saying nothing concerning the establishment of Cleruchies (Athenian settlements on the territory of member *poleis*), nor does he cover internal political happenings within Athens between the Persian and Peloponnesian Wars. By the time the war with Sparta began, for example, Thucydides notes elsewhere that the Athenians had come to see they in fact ruled the League as a tyrant (2.63.3). The Pentecontaetia marks the height of Athenian dominance and [culture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/culture/), which many scholars refer to as the “Golden Age of Athens.” Indeed, many of the ancient Greece's greatest works in architecture, engineering, art, tragedy, comedy, history, astronomy, and philosophy as well as many of the most notable ancient Greek personalities came from Athens during this period. #### Editorial Review This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/). ## Bibliography - [De Ste. Croix, G. *The Origins of the Peloponnesian War,.* Cornell University Press, 1972.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0801407192/) - French, A. "The Guidelines of the Delian League." *Antichthon*, 22, 1988. - Giovannini, A. and G. Gottlieb. *Thukydides und die Anfrange der athenische Arche.* Heidelberg, 1980 - [Gomme, A.W. *Historical Commentary on Thucydides Volume I Introduction and Commentary on Book..* Oxford University Press, 2015.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/B00JW09Z3W/) - [Hornblower, S. *A Commentary on Thucydides.* Clarendon Press, 1997.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0198150997/) - JACT. *The World of Athens.* 1984 - [Kagan, D. *The Outbreak of the Peloponnesian War.* Cornell University Press, 1989.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0801495563/) - [McGregor, M. *The Athenians and Their Empire.* UBC Press, 1995.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0774802693/) - [Meiggs, R. *The Athenian Empire.* Oxford University Press Reprints distributed by Sa, 1972.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/019814296X/) - [Meritt, B.D. *The Athenian Tribute Lists Volume III.* American School of Classical Studies at Athens, 1950.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0876619138/) - [Thucydides. *The Landmark Thucydides.* Free Press, 1998.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0684827905/) - Walker, P. "The Purpose and Method of ‘The Pentekontaetia’ in Thucydides, Book I." *Classical Quarterly*, 7, 1957. ## About the Author Lectured in Classical Studies for 15yrs. Published articles on the dramatic settings for Plato's Dialogues & Ancient Greek History. Offered papers at conferences in North America & Great Britain. Area of expertise includes Greek History 600-300 BCE. - [Facebook Profile](https://www.facebook.com/Alkibiades410) - [X/Twitter Profile](https://twitter.com/Alkibiades410) - [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/cplaneau) ## Timeline - **479 BCE - 432 CE**: The period of [Thucydides](https://www.worldhistory.org/Thucydides/)' Pentecontaetia in ancient [Greece](https://www.worldhistory.org/greece/). ## Cite This Work ### APA Planeaux, C. (2015, November 14). The Pentecontaetia. *World History Encyclopedia*. [https://www.worldhistory.org/The\_Pentecontaetia/](https://www.worldhistory.org/The_Pentecontaetia/) ### Chicago Planeaux, Christopher. "The Pentecontaetia." *World History Encyclopedia*, November 14, 2015. [https://www.worldhistory.org/The\_Pentecontaetia/](https://www.worldhistory.org/The_Pentecontaetia/). ### MLA Planeaux, Christopher. "The Pentecontaetia." *World History Encyclopedia*, 14 Nov 2015, [https://www.worldhistory.org/The\_Pentecontaetia/](https://www.worldhistory.org/The_Pentecontaetia/). ## License & Copyright Submitted by [Christopher Planeaux](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/alkibiades410/ "User Page: Christopher Planeaux"), published on 14 November 2015. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. 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