Peloponnesian War Books
War Duration: -431 - -404
War Region: Ancient Greece
About Peloponnesian War
The Peloponnesian War was a protracted and devastating conflict fought between Athens and its empire against the Peloponnesian League led by Sparta from 431 to 404 BC. Documented by the historian Thucydides, the war is often divided into three phases: the Archidamian War, the Sicilian Expedition, and the Ionian or Decelean War. The root causes lay in the growing tension between the Athenian Empire and the fear it instilled in Sparta and its allies. The war saw both conventional battles and significant use of naval power. Athens initially held the upper hand due to its formidable navy and wealth but suffered a catastrophic blow with the failed Sicilian Expedition. Internal strife, plagues, and political instability further weakened Athens, leading to its surrender in 404 BC. The outcome of the war shifted power dynamics in ancient Greece, weakening Athens and ushering in a brief Spartan hegemony. It also marked the decline of the classical Greek city-state system and foreshadowed the eventual rise of Macedon under Philip II and Alexander the Great. The Peloponnesian War is studied for its insights into power politics, strategy, and the fragility of democratic institutions in times of prolonged warfare.