The Peloponnesian War enveloped the entire Greek world, from Syracuse on the island of Sicily to the shores of western Turkey. It ravaged the Greek population and produced great hardships, and it led to the eventual downfall of the Athenian Empire and the rise of the Spartan Empire. But during this time of great challenge, Greek culture would once again reveal itself as one of the richest and most interesting of the time. An intellectual psyche based on morality and rationalism caused people to question the nature of war more than they ever had before, as well as the functionality and purpose of democracy, and this perspective led to tremendous achievements in both art and literature. And it’s during this war that the world was introduced to one of the greatest philosophers of all time: Socrates. So, while it’s true that war should be avoided at all costs, it’s also true that it’s a great teacher. It shows people who they are, and it forces them to rise up in the face of great adversity. And while the Athenians did eventually fall to the Spartans, neither side won or lost. The only losers were those who lived during this tragic conflict that was defined by famine and plague, and the only winners were those who came afterward and who were able to enjoy the tremendous advancements in human culture that came from one of the most prolific conflicts of all time.