The famous battle fought between Athens and Sparta was the Battle of Syracuse, which occurred during the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE). It was a significant conflict between the Delian League led by Athens and the Peloponnesian League led by Sparta. The battle took place from 415 to 413 BCE and ended in a disastrous defeat for Athens, leading to the loss of a significant portion of its naval power and resources. This defeat illustrated the strategic limitations of Athenian imperial ambitions and significantly weakened its position in the ongoing war against Sparta, shifting the balance of power in ancient Greece.