After peace was made with Persia, Athens continued to collect, by force where necessary, the cotributions from the 180 Greek cities of the anti-Persian league. This effectively gave Athens an empire which it used to promote its own welfare and influence, and to interfere in the affairs of cities not in its league.
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The Peloponnesian League led by Sparta was set up to counter this. A series of clashes over Corcyra, Potidaia and finally Megara, a Peloponnesian member, brought an ultimatum for Athens to back off. Fully cofident of its strength, Athens declined and war ensued.
This war far exceded anyone’s expactations, lasting 27 years and devastating the Greek world from Sicily to Asia Minor, and ended in Athens’ defeat and loss of empire..
