The Peloponnesian War (Thucydides)

The Peloponnesian War (431-404 BC) was a protracted conflict between two powerful Greek city-states: Athens, which led the Delian League, and Sparta, leading the Peloponnesian League. Chronicled by the historian Thucydides, the war arose from rising tensions and competition for power. It featured significant battles and shifting alliances and ultimately resulted in the downfall of Athenian dominance and the temporary ascendancy of Sparta. Thucydides’ work is notable for its rigorous approach to history, focusing on human nature, power dynamics, and the impact of war on society, making it a foundational text in Western historical thought.