King's Peace
The King's Peace, established in 386 B.C.E., was a pivotal treaty that concluded the Corinthian War, which had seen Sparta engaged in conflict with a coalition of Greek city-states, notably Athens, Thebes, and Corinth, supported by Persia. The treaty arose after prolonged hostilities and failed peace negotiations, particularly following a shift in Persian support from the Greek coalition to Sparta under King Artaxerxes II. The terms of the King's Peace granted autonomy to most Greek states while solidifying Persian control over Cyprus, Clazomenae, and certain cities in Asia Minor. Although Athens retained some islands, it lost significant overseas territories, and Thebes was stripped of its dominance in Boeotia. Following the treaty, Sparta exerted its influence over mainland Greece, enforcing its will under the guise of maintaining peace. However, this dominance was eventually challenged, culminating in Sparta's defeat at the Battle of Leuctra in 371 B.C.E. The King's Peace marked a significant shift in the balance of power within ancient Greece and set the stage for future conflicts.
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King's Peace
Related civilizations: Persia, Classical Greece.
Also known as: Peace of Antalcidas.
Date: 386 b.c.e.
Locale: Mainland Greece and Asia Minor
King’s Peace
The Corinthian War pitted the Spartans against a coalition of Greek city-states supported by Persia and led by Athens, Thebes, and Corinth. Peace negotiations in 392 b.c.e. failed, and indecisive fighting continued for several years.
The tide turned in 387 b.c.e. when the Persian king Artaxerxes II transferred his support to Sparta. The Spartan fleet threatened to cut off grain imports to Athens, which was compelled to accept a treaty promulgated by Artaxerxes and negotiated by the Spartan Antalcidas. This treaty granted autonomy to all Greek states except for Cyprus, Clazomenae, and the cities of Asia Minor, which were to belong to Persia. Athens lost its overseas holdings but kept the islands of Lemnos (Límnos), Imbros (Gökçeada), and Skyros (Skíros). Thebes lost supremacy in Boeotia. Representatives convened at Sparta and ratified the treaty in 386 b.c.e.
Although the Spartans had abandoned the Greeks of Asia Minor, they now controlled mainland Greece. Under the pretense of enforcing the King’s Peace, they imposed their will on other cities, until the Thebans defeated them in the Battle of Leuctra in 371 b.c.e.
Bibliography
Badian, E. “The King’s Peace.” In Georgica: Greek Studies in Honour of George Cawkwell, edited by Michael Flower and Mark Toher. London: University of London, Institute of Classical Studies, 1991.
Hamilton, Charles D. Agesilaus and the Failure of Spartan Hegemony. Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell University Press, 1991.