Battle of Aegospotami
The Battle of Aegospotami was a critical naval engagement that took place during the final phase of the Peloponnesian War, which lasted from 431 to 404 B.C.E. This battle marked a decisive victory for the Spartans, led by the general Lysander, against the Athenian fleet commanded by Conon. The context of the battle involves Sparta's strategic buildup of a fleet, supported by Persian resources, aimed at disrupting Athenian supply lines, particularly the grain routes from the Black Sea.
The confrontation occurred at Aegospotami, where Lysander managed to surprise the Athenian forces while they were unprepared and seeking provisions. This resulted in the capture of nearly the entire Athenian fleet, with only nine ships managing to escape. The aftermath of this battle was profound; it led to a Spartan siege of Athens that ultimately forced the city-state to surrender in 404 B.C.E. The terms of surrender included significant concessions, such as the dismantling of Athens' defensive walls and a drastic reduction of its naval power. The Battle of Aegospotami thus played a pivotal role in shifting the balance of power in ancient Greece, leading to Sparta's dominance in the region.
Battle of Aegospotami
Related civilizations: Athens, Sparta.
Date: September, 405 b.c.e.
Locale: Aegospotami, in The Chersonese on the shore of the Hellespont (Dardanelles)
Background
In the last stage of the Peloponnesian War (431-404 b.c.e.), Sparta built a fleet, thanks to Persian support, and carried out operations along the coast of Asia Minor, but with only moderate success.
Action
To block the route of grain ships heading from the Black Sea to Athens, Lysander of Sparta entered the Hellespont with the Peloponnesian fleet and seized Lampsacus by force. The Athenian generals stationed their ships on the opposite shore at Aegospotami (ee-guh-SPAH-tuh-mi), but they could not lure Lysander into battle. Then, according to historian Xenophon, Lysander attacked the Athenians while they were searching for food and captured nearly the entire fleet. Only nine ships escaped.
Consequences
After this battle, Sparta besieged Athens by land and by sea. Lacking the resources to rebuild its fleet, Athens could not withstand the siege and was forced to surrender to Sparta in (probably late March) 404 b.c.e. Terms included the destruction of defensive walls and fortifications, reduction of the fleet to twelve ships, surrender of foreign lands, and an alliance with Sparta.
Bibliography
Kagan, Donald. The Fall of the Athenian Empire. Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell University Press, 1987.
Strauss, Barry. “Aegospotami Reexamined.” American Journal of Philology 104 (1983): 24-35.