Overview
The Peloponnesian War was a conflict fought in the Eastern Mediterranean between the Athenian-led Delian League and the Spartan-led Peloponnesian League from 431 to 404 BC, vying for hegemony over Ancient Greece. Initially inconclusive, the war saw the Spartan king Archidamus II invade Attica in 431 BC, leading to years of fighting and the Peace of Nicias in 421 BC. Subsequent phases included the Argive War and the Sicilian Expedition, which ended in a major defeat for Athens. The intervention of the Persian Empire in support of Sparta in 413 BC allowed the Spartan coalition to decisively defeat Athens, leading to a period of Spartan hegemony over Greece.
Historical Periods
Athenian Coalition (-323–-319)
323 BCE – 319 BCE
Area: 23,331 km²
Athenian Coalition (-264–-257)
264 BCE – 257 BCE
Area: 10,805 km²