Chapter 4 Section 4 - The Age of Pericles

Summary
The Athenian democratic system was a direct democracy. Under the leadership of Pericles, the Athenian government became more democratic and Athens became a powerful figure in Greece. Athens grew wealthy from trade and the other city-states became suspicious. In 431 B.C. Athens went to war with Sparta and the other city-states for control of Greece. Sparta defeated Athens in the Peloponnesian War with the help of Persia.