Athens had a limited democracy: not everyone could vote, and not everyone wanted to. The city also possessed a navy, economic power and a degree of longevity. Ill-judged political moves involving its allies helped Sparta defeat it for a time. In this account, Athens's subsequent recovery depended on its economy.
Notable Point · 1:42-2:15
Athens as a naval, economic, and political power
Athens combined a limited democracy with naval and economic strength. Ill-judged moves involving its allies helped Sparta defeat it temporarily.