Athens

Athens was and is a city in Attica in Greece. During the time of the Peloponnesian war, Athens was widely regarded as embodying Greek ideals of equality and democracy. Although by modern standards the roughly 10% of Athenians who qualified as voting citizens would not be regarded as truly democratic, during the 5th century BC that amount was uniquely high. Much of Book One of the current text considers the history of Athens and, as one of two principle combatants, Athens is prominent within the text.

Sparta

Sparta was and is a city in the Peloponnesus in Greece. During the time of the Peloponnesian war, Sparta was universally regarded as the finest military state in Greece; Spartan hoplites were nearly invincible and Spartan generals were considered to be the best leadership available to any armed force. Sparta did not particularly value democracy was administered by a complicated system...