Final phase of the Peloponnesian War – 412-404 BCE
412 BCE – Treaty of Miletus. The Asiatic Greeks surrendered to the Persians by the Spartans. An alliance
between the two.
411 BCE – Oligarchic revolution in Athens. Due to a growing resentment of radical democrats the
Council of Four Hundred (oligarchs) was formed to replace the Council of 500 (democrats) after the
Spartans allied with the Persians. Democracy was overthrown.
Argument that convinced the people of the Four Hundred: “... but the real argument which persuaded
the majority was the belief that the king of Persia was more likely to form an alliance with them if the
constitution were on an oligarchic basis.” (Thucydides)
Premise of the Four Hundred: “The popular Assembly was to elect twenty persons, over forty years of
age, who, in conjunction with the existing ten members of the Committee of Public Safety, after taking
an oath that they would frame such measures as they thought best for the state, should then prepare
proposals for the public safety. In addition, any other person might make proposals...” (Thucydides)
411 BCE - Success of Alcibiades in the Hellespont. After the Spartans move in on Hellespont numerous
naval battles ensued. Battles were fought at Cynossema, Abydos and Cyzicus and it was eventually
recovered by Alcibiades. Corn trading routes secured through Alcibiades’ victories and Spartan fleet
destroyed. Spartans proposed peace but the overconfident Athenians refused. In 408 BCE, Alcibiades
was elected commander-in-chief.
406 BCE – Battle of Arginusae. Fought in Mytilene both on water and the mainland. Athenians raised
money and led by eight generals including Pericles’ son, Pericles, manned the ships with men from all
classes. The Spartans lost a significant number of ships. Athens, however, also suffered huge casualties
because of storms which left many shipwrecked. The Generals, who had fled instead of staying with the
doomed men, were trialled; six were executed and two went into voluntary exile.
405 BCE – Athens defeated at Aegospotami. The Spartan admiral-then-deputy, Lysander, intercepted
Athenian corn ships at Lampascus in Hellespont. Alcibiades, who had been denounced after losing a
massive amount of ships at Notium, tried to advise the Athenian generals but was ignored. Instead they
took up a position at Aegospotami on the opposite shore. After five days of refusing to fight Lysander
attacked. 160 ships were captured, ending Athens’ reign as a naval power and leaving her without
money, men, food and only one ally, Samos.
404 BCE – Humiliating peace terms for set down for Athens.
Notably, the Long Walls to Piraeus were taken down, Athens’ foreign territories taken and she was made
to accept the leadership of Sparta.
403-402 BCE – Democracy re-established in Athens.