Why was so difficult for Athens and Sparta to defeat each other?

Answer 1

Each had allies which augmented its power.

Athens had an empire of about 180 city-states spread around the eastern Aegean Sea,. It had strong walls, which extended down to the sea, which enabled it to be resupplied during a siege. It also had a superior navy, which gave it the ability to threaten and raid opposing cities of the Peloponnesian League led by Sparta, and to ensure resupply of the city by sea from its empire.

The Peloponnesian League had the strongest land forces, and was able to besiege Athens. By whittling don Athens' allies, it progressively reduced Athens' power and resupply, until finally after 27 years of fighting, the Athenian fleet was destroyed (Persia gave money to pay for a Peloponnesian fleet) and Athens was starved into submission.

Answer 2

Nearly no one liked Sparta in ancient Greece. They terriozed, enslaved, and murdered their fellow Greeks. Not to mention, Sparta was not very cooperative at all. Unless, of course, they were in command.

Answer 3

They were both strong city-states and had similar interests - both wanted to prosper. They were allies and helped each other where possible. Sparta sent a force to help Athens oppose the Persian raid at Marathon, but it arrived after the battle. They both were the two leading powers in repelling the Persian invasion ten years later in 480-479 BCE.

A rift came in 462 BCE when Sparta thought that a force, which Athens sent to help Sparta put down a revolt by its serfs, went sour - the Spartans thought the Athenians were favouring the rebels, so they sent the Athenians home.

Then Athens established an empire from the anti-Persian Delian League, and used this power to interfere in the affairs of other cities, which brought it into conflict with the Peloponnesian League led by Sparta. This ended in all out war between the two sides, which Athens eventually lost, and Sparta stripped it of its empire.

Answer 4

Because they both were the best in ancient Greece

Answer 5

becase of the marathon Athens fought pesia and cheted Persia joind with Sparta and tock Athens otu

Answer 6

They thought that their own states were better so they thought they only needed one, and Sparta was jealous of Athens, because Athens were so amazingly organised, so Sparta went to go cut of athens food supply