Why wre the Athens dedicated to defeat the spatans?

Answer 1

Both Athens and Sparta were powerful cities at that time (before the Peloponnesian War). But when Spartians understood that Athens started becoming dengerously powerful, started the conflict with Athens. Spartians, as a clearly war civilisation, always wanted to be the leading power..

Answer 2

The Athenians weren't just into defeating Sparta. The Greek city-states were normally battling for complete control over all of Greece, so it wasn't just Athens and Sparta. At one point both city-states lead alliances against each other but that is just one point of history. They were allies though when they were at war with the Persians(marathon was Spartans on land while the Athenians destroyed Persia's navy)

It was mainly a power struggle plus Spartans were raised as warriors, they wouldn't have much use to society if they weren't fighting.

Answer 3

Normally allies, they fell out after Athens converted the anti-Persian league into an empire and set out to dominate Greece. The Peloponnesian League led by Sparta opposed this and a destructive 27 year war ensued.