Athens Lose the Peloponnesian War

By all calculations Sparta should have lost the war. Athenians had strong leadership and the money to finance a war. Their Navy ruled the seas and was virtually unbeatable on the seas. Sparta had little money, weak leadership, and no navy. Their only true strength was a strong ground force. Sparta is able to win the war by obtaining Persian monies as support, a strong leader (Lysander), and reaping the rewards of the Athenians mishaps. Athens leadership failed to realize the cost of a lengthy war. Their were several internal conflicts that ranged from political leaders private ambitions, inconsistent policy, and revolts of allied city-states.
<Tab/>The Athenians were unable to maintain her leading allies. One prime example is there relationship with the Argives. They would be engaged in battle with them and then would make an alliance with them. (5.40) The Argives formed the alliance with Athens because they thought they would be isolated when Boeta allied with Sparta. The Athenian strength and oppression pushed the Argives into making a truce and alliance with Sparta. (5.61,77-79) This failure to keep strong allies faithful and loyal would prove as distracting as the revolts Athens suffered.
<Tab/>The Athenians had to constantly deal with revolts within their allied city-states. …