Second Peloponnesian War

(431 BCE-404 BCE)

Invasion of Attica

The Spartans, led by King Archidamus II, invade Attica effectively starting the first phase of the Peloponnesian War, actually the second of such wars, between the Athens-led Delian League and the Sparta-led Peloponnesian League. The Spartans lay waste to the countryside around Athens. Athenian leader, Pericles, does not seriously oppose them, rather withdrawing the rural population of the country districts within Athens' city walls. Instead, he pursues active naval warfare and reduces any danger from the island of Aegina by replacing its native population with Athenians.

Plague of Athens

The Plague of Athens (430-426 BCE) was a devastating epidemic that struck the city during the early years of the Second Peloponnesian War, killing a significant portion of the population, including the prominent leader Pericles. Believed to have been typhus, smallpox, or possibly a viral hemorrhagic fever, the plague spread rapidly due to the overcrowded conditions in Athens as the city sheltered from Spartan attacks. The epidemic weakened Athens both militarily and socially, contributing to its eventual defeat in the war and marking a significant turning point in ancient Greek history.

Siege of Plataea

The Siege of Plataea was a lengthy siege by Spartan forces against the city of Plataea, an ally of Athens. After a prolonged resistance, the city was eventually captured and destroyed by the Spartans, marking a significant Spartan victory early in the war.

Peloponnesian League Victory

Battle of Spartolos

The Battle of Spartolos was a land battle in which Spartan forces and their allies from the Chalcidice region defeated an Athenian army, resulting in the loss of Athenian control over parts of the region.

Peloponnesian League Victory

Battle of Naupactus

The Battle of Naupactus was a naval engagement where the Athenian fleet, under Phormio, successfully defended the city of Naupactus against a larger Peloponnesian fleet, securing a strategic victory in the Gulf of Corinth.

Delian League Victory

Battle of Rhium

The Battle of Rhium, fought in 429 BCE during the Peloponnesian War, was a naval engagement between the Athenian and Peloponnesian fleets near the strait between Rhium and Antirrhium in the Gulf of Corinth. Commanded by Phormio, the Athenians, with a smaller fleet of 20 ships, decisively defeated the Peloponnesians' 47-ship fleet. Utilizing superior tactics and maneuverability, the Athenians inflicted heavy losses on their opponents, demonstrating the effectiveness of Athenian naval power and maintaining control over the critical maritime routes in the region.

Delian League Victory

Mytilenean Revolt

The Mytilenean Revolt was an uprising of the city of Mytilene on the island of Lesbos against Athenian rule. After a protracted siege, the revolt was crushed by Athens, and the city was punished severely, though not as harshly as initially intended.

Delian League Victory

Battle of Tanagra

The Battle of Tanagra was a land battle between Athenian forces and the Boeotians during the Peloponnesian War. The battle was inconclusive, with no decisive victory for either side.

Undecisive Victory

Battle of Idomene

The Battle of Idomene, fought in 426 BC during the Peloponnesian War, saw the Athenian forces under Demosthenes decisively defeat the Ambracians, who were allies of Sparta. The Ambracians, unaware of their previous army's defeat and scattered state, camped on a lower hill, while Demosthenes strategically occupied the higher ground. In a pre-dawn attack, the Athenians surprised and annihilated the Ambracian forces, resulting in the loss of about 1,000 men. This event, as described by Thucydides, marked one of the most devastating losses for a single Greek city within such a short period during the war.

Delian League Victory

Battle of Olpae

The Battle of Olpae was a land battle in which the Athenian general Demosthenes defeated the Spartan-led forces near the city of Olpae in Acarnania, securing Athenian control over the region.

Delian League Victory

Battle of Sphacteria

The Battle of Sphacteria occurred when Athenian forces trapped a group of Spartan soldiers on the island of Sphacteria. The battle resulted in a significant Athenian victory and the capture of many Spartan hoplites, which was a considerable blow to Spartan morale.

Delian League Victory

Battle of Pylos

The Battle of Pylos was a combined land and naval engagement in which the Athenians, under Demosthenes, defeated Spartan forces. The subsequent siege of Sphacteria led to the capture of Spartan hoplites, marking a significant victory for Athens.

Delian League Victory

Battle of Megara

The Battle of Megara was a land battle between the Athenians and Spartans over the city of Megara. The battle was inconclusive, with neither side securing a decisive victory, leading to a temporary stalemate in the region.

Undecisive Victory

Battle of Delium

The Battle of Delium was a land battle between Athens and the Boeotian League, led by Thebes. It was notable for the Athenian philosopher Socrates' participation. The battle ended in a decisive Boeotian (Spartan) victory, and Athens suffered significant losses.

Peloponnesian League Victory

Battle of Lyncestis

The Battle of Lyncestis was fought between Spartan forces under Brasidas and the combined forces of the Macedonian king Perdiccas and the Illyrians. The battle was inconclusive and ended with a temporary truce.

Undecisive Victory

Battle of Amphipolis

The Battle of Amphipolis was a land battle in which Spartan forces under Brasidas defeated the Athenians led by Cleon. Both Brasidas and Cleon were killed in the battle, which ended in a Spartan victory and marked the end of the Archidamian War.

Peloponnesian League Victory

Battle of Mantinea

The Battle of Mantinea was one of the largest land battles of the Peloponnesian War. It involved a coalition of Athenians, Argives, and Mantineans against the Spartans and their allies. The battle ended in a decisive Spartan victory, reinforcing their dominance in the Peloponnese.

Peloponnesian League Victory

Battle of Hysiae

The Battle of Hysiae was a land battle in which the Spartans defeated the Argives during the short period of renewed hostilities between Sparta and Argos after the Peace of Nicias.

Peloponnesian League Victory

Battle of Orneae

The Battle of Orneae was a small-scale conflict during the Peloponnesian War where Athenian forces successfully captured the town of Orneae in Argolis, which had been an ally of Sparta.

Delian League Victory

Siege of Melos

The Siege of Melos was a brutal military action by Athens against the island of Melos, which had refused to join the Athenian Empire. After a long siege, the Athenians captured the city, executed the men, and enslaved the women and children, making the event infamous for its harshness.

Delian League Victory

Siege of Syracuse

The Siege of Syracuse was a significant military campaign during the Peloponnesian War, where Athenian forces attempted to conquer the city of Syracuse in Sicily. The expedition ended in a disastrous defeat for Athens, with the destruction of their fleet and army.

Peloponnesian League Victory

Battle of Eretria

The Battle of Eretria was a naval engagement during which the Spartan fleet defeated the Athenians, leading to the loss of Eretria and the island of Euboea, a critical blow to Athenian power.

Peloponnesian League Victory

Battle of Abydos

The Battle of Abydos was a naval battle in which the Athenian fleet, led by Thrasybulus and Alcibiades, defeated the Peloponnesian forces, securing control over the strategic Hellespont.

Delian League Victory

Battle of Cynossema

The Battle of Cynossema was a crucial naval engagement in the Hellespont, where the Athenian fleet, despite being outnumbered, secured a significant victory over the Spartans, boosting Athenian morale.

Delian League Victory

Battle of Cyzicus

The Battle of Cyzicus was a major naval victory for the Athenians, led by Alcibiades, Thrasybulus, and Theramenes, where they destroyed the Spartan fleet and regained control of the Propontis (Sea of Marmara).

Delian League Victory

Battle of Arginusae

The Battle of Arginusae was a naval battle where the Athenian fleet secured a victory against Sparta, despite having less experienced crews. However, the failure to rescue survivors from sunken ships led to a major controversy in Athens and the execution of several Athenian generals.

Delian League Victory

Battle of Notium

The Battle of Notium was a naval engagement between the Athenian and Spartan fleets during the later stages of the Peloponnesian War. The Spartans, under the command of Lysander, achieved a significant victory, weakening Athenian naval power.

Peloponnesian League Victory

Battle of Aegospotami

The Battle of Aegospotami was the final and decisive naval engagement of the Peloponnesian War. The Spartan fleet under Lysander destroyed the Athenian navy, effectively cutting off Athens' grain supply and forcing the city to surrender, bringing an end to the war.

Peloponnesian League Victory