Will the creation of the Delian League and the Spartan Confederacy lead to a more peaceful Greece or will it lead to war?
Two strong militaries will serve as a deterrent, meaning Athens won’t want to fight against Sparta because of all their allies and vice versa. Alliances create diplomatic conversations among city- states. Greeks value rational discussions over violence. Recently fought Persian War so they won’t want to fight each other and increase the risk of being invaded by outsiders again. Alliances intended to create trade and economic benefits, war would ruin this.
One alliance may initiate war against the other before it gets stronger than they are. Sparta and Athens have such different cultures they could never compromise. One alliance may start a war because they don’t want to be taken over by the other. The city-states who have been taken over by Sparta and Athens may start a war in order to bring down the two super powers.