Greek cities and sanctuaries in the Late Classical period

The Peloponnesian War ended with the Spartan capture of Athens in 404 BC. The Spartans ordered the dismantling of the ciry walls and installed a compliant government. But the Spartan triumph was short-lived; the Athenians soon retook control of their city. Spartan leaders proved incapable of governing in the outside world, and particularly susceptible to the lure of money and bribes. In addition, losses of soldiers during the war had severely reduced the already small Spartan citizenry. In 371 BC, a Spartan army was defeated at the Battle ofLeuctra by a federated state led by Thebes. Sparta, invincible no longer, never recovered from this blow.