The Peloponnesian War was a devastating military conflict between the Athenian Empire, known as the Delian Symmachy, and the Peloponnesian League, led by Sparta. Many historical testimonies of contemporaries have been preserved about it, but the most significant work among them is the "History" of Thucydides. Most of Aristophanes' comedies, which ridicule certain generals and events, were written during this period.
Athens and Sparta - two strong city-states - were allies during the Greco-Persian wars (499-449 BC). Following the retreat of the Persians, Athens increased its influence not only in the Aegean basin and the Black Sea region, but also sought to dominate all of Greece.
Historians believe that the Peloponnesian War broke out because of Sparta's fear of the growing power of Athens, which increasingly isolated its competitors. Both states were influential and could ignore the old rules of infantry combat. Supported by almost 200,000 helots who worked on the farms of Massenia and Laconia, the Spartans fielded hoplites who had excellent military training. They were well known for their courage, hand-to-hand combat skills, and for inventing an offensive strategy called the phalanx formation. This innovative tactic proved very successful during the battles of Marathon in 490 BC and Plataea in 479 BC, after which the Greek wars ended in victory over the Persians.
After the Persian retreat, Athens did not stop using triremes, on the contrary, they significantly increased their fleet. Brought up on the tribute of vassal city-states located on the islands and shores of the Aegean Sea, the policy became a kind of "good police", controlling its subordinate allies. Over the following decades, he gained great influence in the alliance (or the Delian Symmachia, since the main governing body was on the island of Delos).
Other states participating in the union were completely dependent on Athens and were limited only to monetary contributions. Gradually, the general treasury began to be spent exclusively on Athenian projects, and not on protecting the Ionian and Aegean Seas from potential invaders represented by pirates and the same Persians. Pericles generally transferred the treasury from Delos to Athens, the money began to be used to finance the extensive construction undertaken by him, in particular,Parthenon.
Sparta watched with concern as the states that were part of the alliance lost control of their ships, and Athens turned into a maritime empire. By increasing their power, they were able to challenge the Lacedaemonians, known as the Spartans, the leaders of another alliance, which for a long time remained the only major military force in Greece. Sparta with its allies, with the exception of Corinth, was able to fight on the ground. But it was a truly invincible army. Thus, both powers could not fight decisive battles and end the dispute "in one day".
The Peloponnesian War began due to several specific actions on the part of Athens, as a result of which the allies of Sparta suffered. The Athenian fleet prevented Corinth from forming a colony in Kerkyra, in addition, the empire took economic sanctions against Megara, which could be disastrous for them.
The Peloponnesian War, which began in 431 BC, lasted a total of 27 years, with a six-year truce somewhere in the middle of that period, and ended with the surrender of Athens in 404 BC. One of the long-term reasons for the defeat of the state is the unforeseen outbreak of the plague in 430, in which Pericles and at least a quarter of the citizens died. Almost three decades of constant struggle led the empire to bankruptcy, the forces were exhausted and demoralized.
The Peloponnesian War ended with the demise of the Athenian maritime power. Sparta and allies have become a pan-Greek organization,who imposed oligarchic rule everywhere.
