Introduction
The Peloponnesian War (431–404 BCE) was more than a long fight between Athens and Sparta. It was a struggle between two completely different ideas about what power should look like. Athens believed in democracy, cultural influence, and control of its empire through the Delian League. Sparta believed in discipline, military strength, and a rigid social order. Their conflict was fueled by rebellion, answered by strong reactions, and eventually forced both sides to reform their political and military strategies.
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This website explores how the war started, why it escalated, and how it reshaped life in the Ancient Mediterranean world. It also connects the story of the war to this year’s National History Day theme — “Rebellion, Reaction, and Reform.”
“It was the greatest movement yet known in history.” — Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War