Battle of Cnidus
Off Cnidus, south-western Turkey
What happened
A Persian fleet, led by the exiled Athenian admiral Conon and the Persian governor Pharnabazus, fought the Spartan fleet of Peisander. After Athens lost the Peloponnesian War, Sparta tried to build a naval empire in the Aegean. Persia hired Conon, who had escaped Athens' last defeat, to lead a large fleet against it. Off Cnidus, the Spartan fleet was driven back, many ships were captured, and Peisander fell.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It ended Sparta's attempt to rule the seas. Athens soon became the leading Greek sea power again.
What came next
Conon returned to Athens and used Persian money to rebuild the Long Walls linking the city to its port. Many Aegean cities expelled their Spartan garrisons.
Did you know?
Most of the forces under Conon's command were supplied by King Evagoras of Cyprus, according to the speaker Isocrates.
Timeline
- 405 BCEConon escapes to Cyprus after Aegospotami.
- 394 BCEPersia wins at Cnidus.
- 387 BCEThe Peace of Antalcidas gives Persia control of Ionia.