Peloponnesian War

Relative Strengths:
  1. It was a struggle between a democracy (Athens) and a more conservative form of government (Sparta). The better leaders were in Sparta. The moral support of the free Greek world was with Sparta.
  2. Athens had a small army, but a very good navy. Sparta had a strong army, but a weak navy. Athens could raid the coasts of Sparta, but did not dare meet the navy. Sparta could not engage the Athenian army because of the sea strength of Athens.

First Phase: (431-421)
The war was fought carefully by both sides. This phase came to an end with a negotiated peace. Between the two phases, Athens carried out a disastrous amphibious attack on Syracuse (415-413).

Second Phase: (413-404)
Athenians revolted because of the Syracuse losses. Sparta saw this as a good time to reopen the war. It was resumed in the Aegean Sea. To finance a navy, Sparta made a deal with Persia by turning over Greek lands in Asia Minor for money. After losing the first naval encounter, Sparta destroyed the Athenian fleet in the Hellespont. As a result of a siege of several months on the city, Athens surrendered.