Peloponnesian War

The Peloponnesian War was a major war fought between the city-states of Athens and Sparta during the 5th century BCE. It lasted for 27 years and significantly weakened Athens, eventually leading to its defeat at the hands of the Spartans. It was largely a struggle for control between the two rival powers, with each side vying for the resources, wealth, and influence of the other. The war pitted the powers of democracy (Athens) against oligarchy (Sparta), two completely different systems of government which also represented opposite sides in the ongoing power struggle between the two. Additionally, there were countless other factors contributing to the war, including conflicts over colonies and trade, complex alliances, and religious differences. In the end, the war had a profound impact on the political, social, and military history of Greece, eventually ending with the fall of the city-states in the Ancient Mediterranean World.