Battle of Arginusae
Arginusae Islands, off Dikili, Turkey
What happened
An Athenian fleet under eight generals fought the Spartan fleet of Callicratidas. A Spartan fleet had trapped the Athenian admiral Conon in the harbour of Mytilene. Athens quickly built a new fleet with many inexperienced crews and sent it to the rescue. The Athenians used a double battle line, outflanked the Spartans and won, and Callicratidas fell.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was a big Athenian victory late in the Peloponnesian War. But a storm stopped the rescue of sailors in the water afterwards, and public anger in Athens soon overshadowed the win.
What came next
Six of the generals were put on trial in Athens and sentenced to death; the philosopher Socrates, presiding that day, refused to put the illegal motion to a vote. Less than a year later, Sparta won at Aegospotami and Athens soon surrendered.
Did you know?
To crew the new fleet, Athens may have given citizenship to thousands of enslaved people and foreign residents who rowed.
Timeline
- 406 BCEAthens wins at Arginusae.
- 406 BCEThe generals are tried in Athens.