Peloponnesian War, << `pehl` uh puh NEE shuhn, >> was fought by the ancient Greek city-states of Athens and Sparta from 431 to 404 B.C. According to Thucydides, a Greek historian who lived during the war, the Peloponnesian League, consisting of Sparta and its allies, attacked the Athenian empire because it feared the growing power of Athens.
The war was divided into three parts: (1) The Archidamian War (431-421 B.C.) was named for Archidamus, the Spartan king who led annual attacks on Athens. Archidamus hoped to force the Athenians to surrender, but the Athenian navy successfully defended the city, which was also protected by walls. (2) The Peace of Nicias (421-413 B.C.) was arranged by Nicias, an Athenian politician. It was broken when Athenian commander Alcibiades persuaded Athens to attack the Peloponnesian League in 418 B.C. and Sicily in 415 B.C. Both attacks failed. (3) The Decelean or Ionian War (413-404 B.C.) ended in victory for Sparta. Sparta gained Persia’s support, helped subjects of Athens revolt, and forced Athens to surrender.
