Spartan-Persian War

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The Spartan-Persian War was a conflict between Sparta and Persia a few years after the Peloponnesian War , which began in 399 BC. BC to 394 BC Chr. Took. It ended with the withdrawal of the Spartan troops and the annexation of the Ionian coastal cities by Persia.

Starting position

In the final phase of the Peloponnesian War, Sparta and Persia were allied against Athens . Had to capitulate; This made Sparta the undisputed hegemonic power in Greece. This was achieved not least because Sparta presented itself as the liberator of the Greek cities before the Athenian rule and as the guardian of the autonomy of these cities. Many former Grisons of Athens had joined this in order to protect themselves from being taken over by Persia. Since Athens had failed due to the defeat, the cities now turned to Sparta. The experience of the tens of thousands and the fall of Egypt from the Persian Empire had left the impression on the Greeks that the Persians were dealing with a weakened enemy. Sparta took over the protection of the cities of Asia Minor - although it has not yet been clarified whether it actually intended to bring them autonomy.

course

In 399 BC Sparta Chr. Agesilaus II. King, who had a clear pro-war. The general Thibron was sent to Asia Minor, who also used the returned men of the procession of ten thousand for his campaign in the Aiolis (across from Lesbos). When accusations arose that Thibron was plundering his own allies, he was relieved and replaced by Derkyllidas . In Asia Minor he faced the Persian satraps Tissaphernes and Pharnabazos . Derkyllidas used a temporary armistice with these to protect Chersonese in 398 BC. To assist against the Thracians, but a short time later he fought again in Asia Minor, where he captured Atarneus and was ordered to march to Caria .

Armistices and shorter campaigns followed suit. 396 BC King Agesilaos himself came to the theater of war with reinforcements. The Spartans first invaded Phrygia and then devastated Bithynia ; while the Persian King Artaxerxes II blamed the satrap Tissaphernes for the setbacks and had him killed, Pharnabazos now came to the conclusion that a sea battle would have to bring the decision. The Persians tried to influence the Greeks diplomatically and above all by paying large sums of money on their behalf. They won the Athenian general Konon for themselves, the 396 BC. With the conquest of Rhodes a first victory. In Cyprus , meanwhile, a Persian fleet of around 100 ships was built for 500 talents, which was subordinated to Konon.

End of the conflict due to the Corinthian War

The cash payments to Sparta's Greek opponents had an effect, so that parallel to the fighting in Asia Minor in motherland Greece in 395 BC. The Corinthian War began in which Sparta faced not only Athens, but also Argos , Corinth and Thebes . King Agesilaus moved in 395 BC. BC with most of the expeditionary troops to intervene in the motherland. The fleet under Konon surrendered in 394 BC. The decisive sea battle with Sparta at Knidos , in which the Spartan fleet was destroyed.

This also meant the end of military actions in Asia Minor. Persia was able to send its tax collectors back to the cities of Asia Minor and thus demonstrate its supremacy. After the end of the Corinthian War, in which Persia first supported Sparta's opponents and then again Sparta, the cities of Asia Minor were contractually awarded to Persia in the Peace of Kings.

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