The Peloponnesian War

After defeating the Persians together, Athens and Sparta became rivals. Both wanted to be the most powerful city in Greece. Their rivalry led to the Peloponnesian War, which lasted from 431 to 404 BCE. This long war weakened Greece and ended the Golden Age of Athens.

Athens vs. Sparta

Athens had a strong navy and controlled the seas. Sparta had the best army on land. Athens and its allies fought against Sparta and its allies. The war went back and forth for nearly 30 years with neither side winning quickly.

The End of the War

A terrible plague struck Athens during the war, killing many people including their leader Pericles. Sparta eventually defeated Athens in 404 BCE. Athens lost its empire and much of its power. The war left all of Greece weaker, making it easier for Macedonia to conquer them later.

Fun Facts

• The Peloponnesian War lasted 27 years, from 431 to 404 BCE.
• The historian Thucydides wrote a detailed account of the war that is still studied today.
• A plague during the war killed about one-third of the people of Athens.

Did You Know?

The Peloponnesian War was actually two wars with a short peace in between, but historians count it as one long conflict.