Question

How did the Peloponnesian War lead to the end of the Golden Age of Ancient Greece?

1. The city-states didn't like being controlled by Athens.
2. Constant fighting between the city-states left them open to invasion.
3. War ruined all of the land so people had to move to other places.
4. People fled from the Greek city-states to Persia.

Answer 1

The Peloponnesian War led to the end of the Golden Age of Ancient Greece through Athens' checked ambitions, economic and political exhaustion, and a shift in power and influence within Greece.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Peloponnesian War had a significant impact on the end of the Golden Age of Ancient Greece. The war was fought between Athens and Sparta, the two leading city-states in Greece, and resulted in political, economic, and cultural consequences.

1. Athens' imperial ambitions were checked: Athens had been using its dominant position in the Delian League to extract money and impose political control on other city-states. This led to resentment among the city-states and ultimately resulted in a revolt against Athens.
2. Economic and political exhaustion: The constant fighting between the city-states drained their resources and weakened their economies. The war left the Greek city-states economically and politically exhausted, making them vulnerable to invasions.
3. Shift in power and influence: The war led to a shift in power and influence within Greece. Sparta emerged as the dominant city-state after defeating Athens, but its power was soon challenged by Thebes. The war also weakened the hoplite-based social and political order and led to the adoption of state-financed standing armies and reliance on mercenaries.