The Peloponnesian War of 431–404 B.
C. between the Spartan-led Peloponnesian alliance and the Delian League dominated by Athens was a seminal event in naval history. The nature of the clash itself practically guaranteed that maritime control would be a critical factor, as neither of the two major power blocs had the means to launch a decisive assault on the other’s homeland and were forced into a long series of peripheral actions in an attempt to wear the other side out. The distinguished Athenian statesman Pericles openly and explicitly built Athenian military strategy around protecting and using the Athenian navy to... Read the rest of this entry »
Source: navalhistory.org