An overview of what modern historian Hammond wrote about the Peloponnesian League.

HAMMOND: In the 200-300 years before the C5th BC, Gk interstate relationships became more complicated and sophisticated. Initially, these were governed mainly by religious considerations - oracles, shrines, festivals, pilgrimages and Amphictyones were universally recognised and guarantee against attack.( 166). Commecially, interstate contacts increased. Eg, at Naucratis, the Hellenium founded by 9 states and the market was controlled by their trade representatives. After the Second Messian War ( c. 640-620), Sparta reached her artistic and commercial peak (166). …

…when the Peloponnesian League declared war on Athens in 432 B.C., it is to be noted that Sparta did not simply declare war and expect that her allies would follow her; rather, she called a meeting or congress of her allies in October, 432, and the matter was debated and, then, made the subject of a vote. When the majority of the allies voted for war with Athens, then, the war was declared by the League.