alliances during the Peloponnesian War, which ultimately led to a protracted conflict between the two powerful city-states of ancient Greece. The war began in 431 BCE and lasted until 404 BCE, resulting in significant political and military upheaval throughout the region.
The conflict can be divided into several phases, including the Archidamian War, the Peace of Nicias, and the Sicilian Expedition, before culminating in Sparta's eventual victory. The war had devastating effects on the Greek city-states, leading to widespread destruction, loss of life, and weakening of the traditional polities.
By the end of the Peloponnesian War, the golden age of Athens, which had been marked by cultural and intellectual achievements, came to a close. In its aftermath, Macedonia, under the leadership of Philip II and later his son Alexander the Great, rose to prominence and ultimately conquered the fragmented Greek city-states, ushering in a new era of Hellenistic culture and influence.