What were the primary causes of the Peloponnesian War?

The primary causes of the Peloponnesian War largely stemmed from power struggles and economic competition between the leading city-states of ancient Greece, primarily Athens and Sparta. After the Persian Wars, Athens emerged as a significant power, developing the Delian League, which was initially formed as a defensive alliance against Persia. However, Athens increasingly used its leadership within the League to assert dominance, leading to resentment among other Greek city-states, particularly Sparta and its allies in the Peloponnesian League.

The competition for influence and control over trade routes, resources, and alliances heightened tensions between these two powers. Economic interests, including access to trade and taxation of allied states, were central to Athens' expansionist policies, and these actions threatened the balance of power in Greece. Sparta, which valued its militaristic society and land-based power, felt both threatened and provoked by Athenian expansionism, resulting in a protracted conflict that prioritized issues of political supremacy and economic control.

While other factors such as maritime trade disputes may have contributed to the tensions, they ultimately fall under the broader categories of power struggles and economic competition that defined the Peloponnesian War. Understanding these underlying economic and political dynamics provides a clearer picture of why this significant conflict unfolded