Battle of Aegospotami Ends Peloponnesian War in 405 BC
The Battle of Aegospotami in 405 BC was the decisive naval engagement that ended the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta. Spartan admiral Lysander, backed by Persian funds from Prince Cyrus, trapped the Athenian fleet at Aegospotami on the Hellespont. After a five-day stand-off, Lysander launched a surprise attack, capturing or destroying almost the entire Athenian fleet. The Athenian commanders, including Philocles and Adeimantus, were caught unprepared. Up to 3,000 Athenian prisoners were executed. Lysander then sailed through the Aegean, dismantling the Athenian Empire. Athens was besieged by land and sea, surrendering in early 404 BC. The city's walls were torn down, its fleet dissolved, and democracy replaced by a pro-Spartan oligarchy. The battle marked the end of Athenian hegemony, though Athens later restored democracy and fought Sparta again.
Key facts
- The Battle of Aegospotami occurred in 405 BC.
- Spartan admiral Lysander commanded the Spartan fleet.
- Persian prince Cyrus provided funding for the Spartan fleet.
- The Athenian fleet was stationed at Aegospotami on the European shore of the Hellespont.
- Lysander captured Lampsacus as a base.
- The Athenian fleet had 180 triremes; Lysander had 125-150.
- The battle was a surprise attack after a five-day stand-off.
- Few Athenian ships managed to engage; most were captured.
- Philocles and Adeimantus were among the Athenian generals; Philocles was executed.
- Up to 3,000 Athenian prisoners were killed.
- Athens surrendered in early 404 BC.
- The Long Walls of Athens were demolished.
- Athenian democracy was replaced by a pro-Spartan oligarchy.
- The Peloponnesian War ended with Spartan victory.
Entities
Institutions
- Sparta
- Athens
- Persian Empire
- Peloponnesian League
- Delian League
Locations
- Aegospotami
- Hellespont
- Lampsacus
- Sestos
- Attica
- Iasos
- Caria
- Turkey
- Thrace
- Black Sea
- Aegean Sea
- Sicily
- Greece