Hey all, how plausible would it be for Athens to win over Sparta in the Peloponnesian War? I was thinking that in 430 B.C., Pericles could decide not to raid the Spartan coast as in OTL but instead enforce maritime security in Athenian waters. Thus, ships carrying the plague of Athens are refused landfall at Peraeus, with some even being diverted to Sparta. Once in Sparta, the Plague wreaks havoc, and weakens Sparta to the point of defeat. Could be a surprise Athenian offensive, could be an enterprising helot revolt, could be anything.
Can Athens ultimately win over Sparta without the burden of the Plague hanging over them? And, after all this, what does a world where the Delian League is victorious look like? Does democracy arrive sooner? Is there a Delian/Persian showdown? Where does Alexander end up? The possibilities are many...