Battle of Sphacteria
Sphacteria island, at the entrance to the bay of Pylos, Messenia, Greece
What happened
Athenian forces under Demosthenes and Cleon fought a Spartan force on the island led by Epitadas, and later Styphon. During the Peloponnesian War, a group of Spartan soldiers was stranded on the small island of Sphacteria after the fighting at Pylos. The Athenians first tried to starve them out, then landed in force with reinforcements brought by Cleon. Messenian troops led by Comon climbed through rough ground behind the Spartans, and the Spartans surrendered.
Why it matters
Why it matters: In the words of historian Donald Kagan, the Spartan surrender 'shook the Greek world'. Athens held the prisoners and warned it would harm them if Sparta invaded Attica, which stopped Sparta's yearly invasions.
What came next
Athens fought the war more boldly for several years and placed a Messenian garrison at Pylos. The Peace of Nicias was agreed in 421 BCE.
Did you know?
Cleon had promised to bring back the Spartans within twenty days, and afterwards he was given free meals at public expense, an honour normally kept for Olympic champions.
Timeline
- 425 BCESpartan troops are cut off on Sphacteria after the fighting at Pylos.
- 425 BCEThe Athenians land on the island and the Spartans surrender.
- 421 BCEThe Peace of Nicias is agreed.
- 418 BCESparta restores its reputation at the Battle of Mantinea.