What effect did the two great conflicts of the fifth century- the Persian war and Peloponessian war- have on Greek civilization

The Persian War outcome provided Athens with an empire from the coalition it had formed to finally defeat the Persian threat. It misused the resources of this coalition to spend on itself and so could afford to promote art, culture and building.

It also over-promoted its own power on the proceeds of the empire, leading to the Peloponnesian War with the Spartan alliance, which devastated Greece, lost Athens its empire and reduced it to a second-rate power. Greece did not recover and became a target for dominance by Macedonia.