Peloponnesian War

War Begins

431 BCE

Pericles planned to avoid any major land battle with the superior Spartan army. Athenians stayed behind their walls and brought in supplies from their superior navy. They also attacked towns of the coastal Peloponnesian city-states.

Spartans March to Athens

431 BCE

The Spartans find the countryside empty because Pericles had all Athenians come inside the city walls. They burned the fields and farm houses

Diplomatic Relations Fall Apart

430 BCE

Athens and the Peloponnesian League - Sparta and its allies including Corinth and Thebes - are not friendly. Named for the Peloponnesus Mountains in the area.