What conflict marked the struggle between Athens and Sparta, culminating in Athens' surrender in 404 B.C.E.?

The conflict that marked the struggle between Athens and Sparta, culminating in Athens' surrender in 404 B.C.E., is the Peloponnesian War. This war lasted from 431 to 404 B.C.E. and was characterized by a deep rivalry between the two powerful city-states of Athens and Sparta, along with their respective allies.

The Peloponnesian War arose from disputes over power, influence, and imperial ambition in the Greek world, primarily following the Persian Wars when Athens became a dominant naval power and established the Delian League. In contrast, Sparta led the Peloponnesian League, which consisted of various city-states in the Peloponnesus that opposed Athenian dominance.

The conflict resulted in a protracted and devastating war that eventually exhausted Athens both militarily and economically. The Spartan navy, with the financial support of Persia, secured a decisive victory at the Battle of Aegospotami in 405 B.C.E., which led to the blockade and eventual surrender of Athens in 404 B.C.E. This outcome not only ended the Peloponnesian War but also drastically altered the Greek political landscape, leading to a brief period of Spartan hegemony over Greece.

Understanding the historical context of the Pel