The Golden Age of Athens began after their victory over the Persians in the Persian Wars in the late 5th century BC. This led to a period of cultural and intellectual achievement for Athens under the leadership of Pericles. However, tensions grew between Athens and Sparta, leading to the Peloponnesian War from 431-404 BC, which devastated Athens and ended the Golden Age. Thinkers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle continued to influence philosophy and education.