Solon was an ancient lawgiver and poet who rewrote the Athenian constitution in the early sixth century BC. Though Athens was culturally and politically dominating in the early Classical era, it was not until the late sixth century BC that it became a major force in Greece. In 464 BC, one of the longest wars in history began when Sparta went to war with Athens over the issue of whether women could participate in politics. Athens' military success against the Spartans led them to extend their influence beyond Greece's battlefields. They established themselves as a leader among Mediterranean city-states and funded a large army which helped them win more battles. But the cost of this ambition was high: in approximately 431 BC, they entered into their first conflict with Persia, which lasted for eight years. Even after this defeat, they continued to dominate the Greek world but didn't achieve any further victories against the Persians. In 399 BC, another Persian invasion forced Athens to abandon their policy of militarism and focus on cultural development. The resulting rise in popularity of Plato and Aristotle contributed to the creation of the Academy and the Lyceum, two prestigious universities where many important political figures of the time were students. This rise in prestige also led to Athens becoming the main center of culture and learning in Greece.