Episode 19: Pericles: Strategist or Squill-Head?
Guest
Michael F. Pavković, Robert Stone
Files
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Description
This episode of Strategy Matters examines the strategic leadership of Pericles during the Peloponnesian War. Host Dr. Vanya Eftimova Bellinger is joined by Dr. Michael Pavković and Dr. Robert Stone, who open with Pericles' background, the geopolitical context and his position within the Athenian political system. The conversation turns to the defensive strategy he designed for Athens as a maritime power trying to offset Sparta’s strengths as a land power. The guests then assess how far that approach shaped Athenian conduct in the later stages of the war. After asserting that Pericles was always depicted with a helmet to conceal a sea onion-shaped head, the guests draw connections between Pericles’ experience and the contemporary strategic environment, presenting lessons for the modern strategist.
Guests:
Dr. Michael F. Pavković currently serves as Vice Admiral William Ledyard Rodgers Professor in Naval History in the Strategy and Policy Department at the college. He received his B.A. in history and classics from Pennsylvania State University and his Ph.D. in history from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. He has presented papers at national and international conferences and has also published a number of articles, book chapters and reviews on topics relating to ancient, early modern and Napoleonic military history. He is co-author of "What is Military History?" (Polity Press, 3rd edition, 2017). He is currently writing a book on sea power in the ancient world.
Dr. Robert Stone is an Assistant Professor of Humanities in the Hamilton School. He previously taught at the U.S. Naval War College. His research focuses on Thucydides’ account of the Peloponnesian War for insights into strategic culture and democratic decision making. His writings have appeared in numerous journals, including History of Political Thought, Review of Politics, the U.S. Naval War College Review, and the Journal of the History of Ideas.
The opinions expressed on this podcast represent the views of the presenters and do not reflect the official position of the Department of War, The US Navy, or US Naval War College.
Episode Length
47:28
File Size
67 MB
File Format
MP3
Release Date
8-25-2026
Keywords
U.S. Naval War College, Strategy and Policy, S&P, Strategy Matters, Military History, Military Strategy, Peloponnesian War, Ancient Greece, Athens, Pericles
Recommended Citation
Bellinger, Vanya Eftimova, "Episode 19: Pericles: Strategist or Squill-Head?" (2026). Strategy Matters Podcast. 19.
https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/strategy-matters/19
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