Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta (431–404 BCE)

1. Theban attack on Plataea sparks open war

   Apr 4, 431 BCELabels: Thebes, Plataea

   • Peloponnesian War
   • Britannica

2. First Spartan invasion of Attica begins

   May 1, 431 BCELabels: Sparta, Archidamus II

   • Britannica
   • Peloponnesian War

3. Plague outbreak devastates Athens

   Jan 1, 430 BCELabels: Athens, Plague

   • Britannica
   • WHE

4. Pericles dies during the plague

   Jan 1, 429 BCELabels: Pericles, Plague

   • Britannica
   • Peloponnesian War

5. Mytilenean revolt challenges Athenian empire

   Jan 1, 428 BCELabels: Mytilene, Lesbos

   • Mytilenean revolt
   • Mytilenean Debate

6. Siege of Plataea ends in Spartan-Theban victory

   Jan 1, 427 BCELabels: Plataea, Sparta

   • Siege of Plataea
   • Britannica

7. Athenian victory at Sphacteria captures Spartans

   Jan 1, 425 BCELabels: Sphacteria, Athens

   • Sphacteria
   • Britannica

8. Battle of Amphipolis kills Brasidas and Cleon

   Jan 1, 422 BCELabels: Amphipolis, Brasidas

   • Amphipolis
   • Britannica

9. Peace of Nicias signed between Athens and Sparta

   Mar 1, 421 BCELabels: Peace of, Athens

   • Peace of Nicias
   • Britannica

10. Spartan victory at Mantinea checks Athenian-aligned coalition

    Jan 1, 418 BCELabels: Mantinea, Sparta

    • Mantinea
    • 418 BC

11. Athens crushes Melos after siege

    Jan 1, 416 BCELabels: Melos, Athens

    • Siege of Melos
    • Peloponnesian War

12. Sicilian Expedition sails to attack Syracuse

    Jan 1, 415 BCELabels: Sicilian Expedition, Athens

    • Sicilian Expedition
    • Britannica

13. Athenian forces begin full siege of Syracuse

    Jan 1, 414 BCELabels: Syracuse, Athens

    • Britannica
    • Sicilian Expedition

14. Athenian defeat at Syracuse destroys the expedition

    Sep 1, 413 BCELabels: Syracuse, Athenian expedition

    • Britannica
    • Peloponnesian War

15. Oligarchic coup in Athens installs the Four Hundred

    Jun 9, 411 BCELabels: Four Hundred, Athens

    • Coup 411
    • Britannica

16. Athenian victory at Cyzicus revives war effort

    Jun 1, 410 BCELabels: Cyzicus, Alcibiades

    • Cyzicus
    • 410 BC

17. Athenian win at Arginusae followed by political backlash

    Jan 1, 406 BCELabels: Arginusae, Athens

    • Arginusae
    • Peloponnesian War

18. Sparta crushes Athenian fleet at Aegospotami

    Jan 1, 405 BCELabels: Aegospotami, Lysander

    • Aegospotami
    • Britannica

19. Athens surrenders; Spartan-backed Thirty installed

    Apr 25, 404 BCELabels: Thirty Tyrants, Athens

    • Peloponnesian War
    • Thirty Tyrants