The Long Peloponnesian War

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After the Persian War, Athens and Sparta changed spectacularly. Because of
Athens success in winning, it gave them confidence and they became a new and improved civilization. On the other hand, the Spartans were having difficulties after the war. They had a major trouble in their economy and lost most of what they had in the wars. The Spartans heard about Athens accomplishments and they became furious. In their furry they decided to invade Athena and attempt to regain power. This battle lasted 27 years and then Athens was at last defeated by the
Spartans. This terrible war was known as the Peloponnesian War.

Athens and Sparta were of the only Greek cities that had importance in
Ancient times. Athens couldn’t compare with Sparta in power, prestige, and not even art. Yet, the only thing successful to Athens was its navy which Sparta didn’t have. Also the two cities had two different lifestyles. The Spartans’ focus was war and fighting. But, the Athenians center of attention was working in any types of work (don’t have to fight). Nevertheless, In 480 C.E., the Athenians and Spartans for the first time, band together to defeat the Persian Army. The Spartans stood at
Thermopylae and sacrificed their lives and carried out a war with the Persians.
The Spartan heroism at the Battle of Thermopylae, during the Persian Wars, inspired all of Greece to fight back with all their might against the invading
Persians. Therefore, ultimately allowed the victory at Battle of Salamis, the last of the Persian Wars.

Athens was full of joy and did many things to contribute to their win. The
Athenian people praised the gods, mainly Zeus and Athena, for winning in the war. Their win made the Athenians very confident in themsel...

... middle of paper ...

... other city-states to join them and invade Athens. Therefore,
Sparta led the Peloponnesian league in response to the Delian League and Athens.
Eventually, Sparta invaded Athens and defeated the Athenian Empire.

Despite winning, the Spartans were very generous to the Athenians. Ten years after the war, the Athenians were given their independence. Since the defeat,
Athens regained much of her old strength. But never again was Athens the golden city she once was.

The Greeks defeated the Persians, but the Athenians took the credit for it, and paid respect to themselves, through celebrations of victory. In their minds, they were at the head of the Greek world. The Spartans took exception to this and became furious. The credit has to go to them as well, for the large part that they played in the victory over the Persians, in the battle of Thermopylae.

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