After winning the Peloponnesian War, Sparta had become the most powerful polis in the Greek world. It will be shown that Sparta pursued its goal of domination through the autonomy clause of the Treaty of Antalcidas. Sparta abused the treaty and even broke it, creating opposition that would eventually defeat them. Sparta, after winning the Peloponnesian War (Xenophon, Hellenika 2.23), became the preeminent Greek power by the beginning of the fourth century (Cargill 1981). : 189). The member states of the Delian League were not liberated as planned (Rhodes 2010: 160), but were instead taken over and had oligarchic constitutions installed (Rhodes 2010: 238). Sparta decided to retain the power it had gained by becoming an imperialist force, just as Athens had been (Cartledge 1987: 349). To be seen as acting in Greece's best interests, Sparta aimed to "liberate the Greeks of Asia" from Persian rule. control (Lewis 1977: 141). This was perhaps Sparta emulating Athens' leadership during the Peloponnesian War (Thuc 1.89). Tissaphernes first promised to make the Asian Greeks autonomous, but after coming to the conclusion that his forces were sufficient; decided to make war on Sparta instead (Plutarch, Agesilaus 9). After a failed peace agreement (Rhodes 2010:227), Persia sent gold to reinforce Sparta's enemies (Rhodes 2010:227) and with the threat of war in Greece, Agesilaus was forced to return home (Plutarch, Agesilaus). 15). The Greeks were again fighting among themselves (Bucker 2003: 77) and, moreover, pressure continued to mount on Sparta as their enemies continued to regain strength (Plutarch, Agesilaus 23). In 387/6, Sparta obtained a treaty in the ditch. ...... middle of paper ......), It is estimated that only 900 adult Spartans remained after the battle (Rhodes 2010: 252). After the defeat, Sparta began to lose support and many allies transferred their allegiance to Thebes (Rhodes 2010: 252). To further weaken Sparta, Thebes liberated Messenia (Xenophon, Hellenika 6.5.25), which deprived Sparta of the Helots it had long enslaved (Thuc 1.101). In the same year as the Battle of Leuctra, Megalopolis was built (Pausanias, 8.27.1-3, 8) and Messene was also founded (Cartledge 1987: 347), which would geographically protect Sparta from the outside world and alienate it (Buckle 2003: 319). Sparta became extremely powerful after defeating Athens at the end of the Peloponnesian War. Sparta became imperialist in nature and chose to impose its rule through the Peace of Antalcidas. Works cited by Thucplutarchxenophon