431–404 BCEReputable sourceWell documented
The Peloponnesian War
On the timeline · around 431–404 BCE ·
What happened
A long and ruinous war pitted Athens and its maritime empire against Sparta and its allies. Athens was struck by a devastating plague early on; the war ended when Sparta, backed by Persian gold, destroyed the Athenian fleet at Aegospotami and forced Athens to surrender in 404 BCE.
Why it matters
The war shattered the Athenian empire and the confidence of the Greek world, weakening the city-states and opening the way for the rise of Macedon.
Sources
- World History Encyclopedia. Peloponnesian War · Reputable source