The Peloponnesian War was fought between Athens and its empire and the Peloponnesian League led by Sparta, from 431 to 404 BCE. It grew out of Spartan fears about the growing power of Athens, and went through several phases, including a decade of fighting that ended with the Peace of Nicias in 421. Athens was badly weakened when its expedition against Syracuse in Sicily was destroyed in 413, and Sparta, with Persian financial support, built a fleet and destroyed the Athenian navy at Aegospotami in 405. Athens surrendered in 404 BCE, and the war ended its empire. The conflict was recorded by the historian Thucydides, whose account is a foundation of political history.
Before and after
- from 450 BCE to 15 CELa Tène culture
- c. 449 BCEConstruction of the Temple of Hephaestus
- from 448 BCE to 433 BCEConstruction of the Parthenon begins
- 445 BCEBirth of Aristophanes
- from 431 BCE to 404 BCEPeloponnesian War
- from c. 430s BCE to 470sStatue of Zeus at Olympia
- c. 430s BCEHerodotus writes the Histories
- c. 430 BCEBirth of Xenophon
- c. 420s BCEConstruction of Temple of Athena Nike
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- 451 CEAetius and Theodoric stop Attila at the Catalaunian Plains
The era
This moment belongs to the Ancient civilizations (3,200 BCE to 500 CE), writing, cities and empires. You can also browse everything in the 5th century BCE.