Peloponnesian War

The Beginning

431 BCE

Conflicts between Athens and the Peloponnesian city-states caused Sparta to send an ultimatum to the Athenians. If the Athenians did not settle disputes between Corinth and Megara, there would be war.

Plague of Athens

429 BCE

In the second year of the war, a plague swept through the city and wiped out one third of the population, including their leader Pericles. The leadership fell to Cleon, the leader of the war party.

Sparta Invades Attica

422 BCE

Athens withdrew from the battlefield, and relied on their navy to supply them from overseas. Sparta ravaged the agricultural sectors consisting of fields and orchards, hoping the Athenian army would come out from hiding. Pericles, the leader of Athens believed they were safe behind their walls, and used his navy to attack the seacoast of the Peloponnesus.

Peace of Nicias

421 BCE

Both parties agree to keep the peace for 50 years. This truce did not solve any issues that had sparked the war in the first place.

Battle of Amphipolis

421 BCE

At the battle of Amphipolis, Cleon, the leader of Athens, led an army against prominent Spartan general, Brasidas. Following the battle, both Cleon and Brasidas are slain in battle, leaving Nicias the new leader of Athens.

Athenians invade Sicily

415 BCE

The second phase of the war was initiated by newly elected general and nephew of Pericles, Alcibiades. Convincing the Athenians to invade Sicily, believing that the conquest would produce strong support for the lengthy war. He was then removed from leadership, and fled to Sparta, where he became an advisor for the Spartan army. The Athenians failed to take Sicily, and their soldiers were either killed or sold into slavery.

Athenian Democracy Falls

411 BCE

The huge losses in Sicily created an immediate collapse of Athenian democracy. Following the collapse, an aristocratic oligarchy was established in its place.

Battle of Aegospotami

405 BCE

Despite having come near collapse, Athens refused to surrender and raised a new army and fleet to invade Sparta.The final blow came with the destruction of the Athenian defeat at Aegospotami.

Surrender of Athens

404 BCE

Following the Battle of Aegospotami, Sparta lay siege to the city of Athens. After a year of sieging, Athens surrendered. The walls were torn down, the navy destroyed and the once great city-state of Athens was no more.