The greatest threat was from Athens in the 5th Century BCE, then Thebes and then Macedonia in the 4th Century BCE.
Be cause Athens wanted even MORE power so Sparta started war and WON! They then took over there government and made it a dictatorship.
1. Sparta, Athens, Corinth and Thebes. 2. Macedonia'
Both. They were competitors, unless threatened by foreigners.
Sparta fought in the Peloponnesian War primarily to counter the growing power and influence of Athens, which threatened its dominance in the Greek world. The war was fueled by a rivalry between the two city-states, with Sparta leading the Peloponnesian League and Athens at the helm of the Delian League. Additionally, Sparta sought to protect its allies and maintain the balance of power in Greece. Ultimately, the conflict was about control, security, and the differing political systems of oligarchy versus democracy.
Sparta felt threatened by Athens in the 400s B.C. due to Athens' growing power, wealth, and influence, particularly following its leadership in the Delian League. The Athenian empire's democratic government contrasted sharply with Sparta's oligarchic military state, leading to ideological tensions. Additionally, Athens' naval superiority allowed it to challenge Spartan dominance on land and sea, escalating fears of Athenian expansionism and destabilizing the balance of power in Greece. This rivalry ultimately contributed to the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War.
The Peloponesian War was a long war between Sparta and Athens, two separate city states in Greece. Athen was strategically building an empire in the northern half of Greece, as well as on many Greek islands. Sparta felt threatened by Athens' increase in power, so they threatened war if Athens didn't release its empire. Athens refused, and the two cities went to war. A plague in Athens eventually forced them to surrender to Sparta. However, after the war, neither city returned to its former glory.
Sparta initiated the Peloponnesian War primarily due to rising tensions and power struggles with Athens, which had established a powerful maritime empire through the Delian League. The increasing Athenian influence threatened Sparta's dominance in the Peloponnesian region and its traditional way of life. Additionally, disputes over trade routes and alliances, along with Athenian interference in the affairs of other city-states, further fueled Sparta's decision to engage in conflict. Ultimately, Sparta sought to curb Athenian expansion and restore balance to Greek power dynamics.
Sparta initiated the Peloponnesian War primarily to counter the growing power and influence of Athens, which had expanded its empire and asserted dominance through the Delian League. Tensions escalated due to Athenian imperialism and its aggressive policies, which threatened the autonomy of other Greek city-states. Additionally, Sparta aimed to protect its own interests and maintain its leadership in the Peloponnesian League. Ultimately, the desire to assert military dominance and preserve traditional power dynamics in Greece drove Sparta to conflict.
The recognised leading power in the Greek world at the time.
A navy is not on land, so neither had the best navy.
Sparta initiated the Peloponnesian War primarily due to rising tensions with Athens, which had grown increasingly powerful and influential through its Delian League. The fear of Athenian dominance and its imperial ambitions threatened Spartan interests and the autonomy of its allies. Additionally, disputes over trade, territory, and the differing political systems—Sparta's oligarchy versus Athens' democracy—fueled the conflict. Ultimately, Sparta sought to curb Athenian power and assert its own hegemony in Greece.
Sparta .