STORY TIME: From Greek Unity to Civil War – Athens, Sparta, and the Road to the Peloponnesian War

After the Greek city-states united to defeat the mighty Persian Empire, peace didn’t last long. Athens rose to power through the Delian League, transforming an alliance for defense into an empire of tribute, ships, and wealth. Sparta watched with growing resentment — and before long, the two greatest powers in Greece were on a collision course.

In this Have To Know History – Story Time episode, I trace how Greek victory over Persia led to the bitter rivalry that tore Greece apart in the Peloponnesian War.

🏛️ What you’ll hear in this story:

• How the Persian invasions united Greece at Marathon, Thermopylae, and Salamis

• How Athens turned the Delian League into an empire

• Why Sparta could no longer ignore Athenian dominance

• How jealousy, pride, and ambition led to the greatest Greek civil war in history

🎙️ This is Have To Know History – Story Time, where I bring ancient events to life through dramatic storytelling and classroom energy.

Thanks for listening — and remember, not all empires fall from enemies abroad… some crumble from within.