It is one of the most studied wars in history. The Peloponnesian War ravaged Greece for over 30 years in the 5th century BC and had a lasting effect on the Greek world. Athens and Sparta, two great city-states, fought tirelessly for control of the Mediterranean. The once great empire of Athens would ultimately be defeated, and its counterpart Sparta would also be severely weakened. This war would negatively affect Greece's world power and pave the way for an invasion of Macedonia later in history. The Peloponnesian War would become a major part of classical Greek history and would forever change the lives of the Greek people. Animosity between the great city-states of Athens and Sparta was not always present. In fact, the two powers were virtually allied by the early 5th century BC. During the Persian Wars, which began in 490 BC, Athens and Sparta resisted the invasion of Persia. The Greek-speaking cities that belonged to the Persian Empire along the west coast of present-day Turkey were in revolt, and the Athenians were aiding these revolts. As a result, the Persian king Darius the Great launched an invasion on Greece itself. This invasion culminated in the Battle of Marathon, which took place that same year. Although outnumbered, Athens would defeat the Persian army in this battle. Persia withdrew and would not invade Greece again for a decade. Until Xerxes, the next Persian king, came to power. Xerxes came to power around 486 BC and intended to continue Persia's vengeance against the Greek people. "This time they were determined to use overwhelming force, so in 481 BC, Xerxes assembled an army of several hundred thousand infantry and a navy of... middle of paper... Eventually, Athenian relations- Spartans would reach breaking point A conflict known by many as the First Peloponnesian War began in 460 BC and lasted until 446 BC. It was a relatively mild struggle. produced between the city-states of Athens and Corinth mostly becoming involved in fighting with Athens, but by 446 BC a peace agreement had been signed commonly known as the "Thirty Years' Peace". , this peace would not last thirty years. During the period following this war, Athens began to build its power at home. A large construction project by the Athenians constructed what is known as the "Long Walls". These walls protected and connected Athens to its port of Peiraieus, and allowed the Athenians to resist any siege. Athenian strategy when the Spartans attacked them years later.