Battle of Sphakteria
The Battle of Sphakteria was a military engagement during the Peloponnesian War between Sparta and Athens in 425 BCE, in Messenia.
History[edit | edit source]
After negotiations between the Spartans and Athenians failed, following the Battle of Pylos, hostilities resumed. Kleon had been elected strategos and left Athens to join the ongoing battle, accompanied by hoplites, archers, peltastes and light infantry. The Athenian reinforcement landed on the island of Sphakteria and engaged the Spartan army. Though the battle was difficult, the remaining Spartans were surrounded and made to surrender. Their troops, exhausted after 72 days on the island, capitulated, a first for the Spartans.[1]
Aftermath[edit | edit source]
The capitulation was a turning point for the Peloponnesian War: not only did news of it spread throughout the Greek world,[1] the Athenians used their new prisoners of war as leverage against Sparta, threatening to execute them if the Spartans ever returned to pillage their lands. Sparta attempted peace negotiations as Athens continued raiding but were unsuccessful. Athens' victory and eventual seizing of Kythera helped boost Kleon's popularity.[2] In 421 BCE, during the negotiations for the Peace of Nicias, Sparta requested freedom for the prisoners.[2]
Appearances[edit | edit source]
- Assassin's Creed: Odyssey novel (first mentioned)
- Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece (mentioned only)
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece – Tours: The Battles of Pylos and Sphakteria: Attack on Sphakteria
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece – Tours: The Battles of Pylos and Sphakteria: Consequences