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The rival Greek city-states of Athens and Sparta began fighting each other in a lengthy series of battles known as the Peloponnesian War (431-404 B.C.).   

The rival Greek city-states of Athens and Sparta began fighting each other for dominance in [[Greece]]. The lengthy series of battles was known as the Peloponnesian War (431-404 B.C.).  Sparta defeated Athens.

In 431 B.C. a war erupted between Athens and Sparta and its allies.  Athens controlled the sea but Sparta had a strong army, and the irresistible force had met the immovable object.  The Spartan military is famous for its tremendous discipline to this day; boys were trained to be great soldiers beginning at age seven and serving the army from ages 20 to 60.  After 27 years of fighting between Athens and Sparta, the Athenian leader Nicias negotiated the Peace of Nicias (421 B.C.).

In 431 B.C. a war erupted between Athens and Sparta and its allies.  Athens controlled the sea but Sparta had a strong army, and the irresistible force had met the immovable object.  The Spartan military is famous for its tremendous discipline to this day; boys were trained to be great soldiers beginning at age seven and serving the army from ages 20 to 60.  After 27 years of fighting between Athens and Sparta, the Athenian leader Nicias negotiated the Peace of Nicias (421 B.C.).

Democracy rose up again in a few years and in 395 B.C. Sparta removed Lysander from office.  In 387 Sparta lost the favor of public opinion by surrendering Greek cities (Ionia and Cyprus) to the enemy Persia, even though Greece had been beating Persia for a hundred years.  When Sparta then tried to weaken its former ally Thebes, a battle broke out between them and Athens joined with Thebes to defeat Sparta.

Democracy rose up again in a few years and in 395 B.C. Sparta removed Lysander from office.  In 387 Sparta lost the favor of public opinion by surrendering Greek cities (Ionia and Cyprus) to the enemy Persia, even though Greece had been beating Persia for a hundred years.  When Sparta then tried to weaken its former ally Thebes, a battle broke out between them and Athens joined with Thebes to defeat Sparta.