Which two cities were the main opponents in the Peloponnesian War?

The Peloponnesian War, fought between 431 and 404 BCE, was primarily a conflict between the city-states of Athens and Sparta. These two cities were at the forefront of opposing alliances: Athens led the Delian League, which was comprised of various city-states that sought to extend Athenian power and influence, while Sparta led the Peloponnesian League, known for its military strength and focus on land-based warfare.

The war arose from a combination of power struggles, political tensions, and economic disparities between these two major city-states. Athens was known for its naval prowess and democratic government, while Sparta was characterized by its militaristic culture and oligarchic system. This rivalry epitomized the broader conflict between different forms of governance and military strategies in Ancient Greece.

The other options listed do not accurately represent the primary antagonists of the Peloponnesian War. While Thebes and Corinth were involved in various conflicts, they were not the central figures leading the opposing sides in this particular war. Similarly, the conflict between Rome and Carthage refers to the Punic Wars, which occurred later and was entirely separate from the tensions between Athens and Sparta.