Peloponesian War

Running Head : THE PELOPONNESIAN WAR The Peloponnesian War

Introduction and Thesis Statement

The Greek empire did not comprise of any center for power ruling over the states , instead it consisted of numerous city-states each having independence and being governed in a manner separate from the rest Where Athens had a democratic style of government , with everyone from the populace having the right to participate in the government (except for women and slaves , Sparta had a populace was divided into 3 distinct classes which included Spartan men (who were all raised to be warriors

, Spartan women (who were patriotic proud , and exhibited more independence then women from other states ) and finally Helots , or slaves (Adams

Aside from the political difference between the states , even their culture was vastly different . The lifestyles of Athenian citizens encouraged them to seek artistic and intellectual pursuits whereas Spartan men were trained to be soldiers from birth and led a life by the sword . Athens was the most powerful state amongst the other states in the Greek Empire . After the expulsion of the Persian from the continent by the Greek allies led by Athens , the state became the central power by increasing their forces and converting the ally states into tribute paying states with the money earned going into improving Athens infrastructure and help strengthen its naval fleet

It did not make matters any better when in a Helot uprising in Sparta when Sparta called for aid from all the other...