Spartan hegemony

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Spartan hegemony refers to the period of dominance by Sparta in Greek affairs from 404 to 371 BC. Even before this period the

Athenians and the Delian League in the Peloponnesian War in 431–404 BC resulted in a short-lived Spartan dominance of the southern Greek world from 404 to 371 BC.[1] Due to their mistrust of others, Spartans discouraged the creation of records about their internal affairs. The only histories of Sparta are from the writings of Xenophon, Thucydides, Herodotus and Plutarch, none of whom were Spartans. Plutarch was writing several centuries after the period of Spartan hegemony had ceased.[1]
This creates difficulties in understanding the Spartan political system, which was distinctly different from any other Greek polis.

History and rise to power

Main article: History of Sparta
Map of Sparta

The Spartans had conquered the southern Peloponnese and incorporated the territory into the enlarged Sparta state. Spartan society functioned within three classes: homoioi or

better source needed] They were the elite class and were the only deserving of the title Spartan. As a result, the Spartan population was very small in comparison with the working classes. There was a ratio of 7 or 8 helots to every Spartan citizen.[1]
These three populations performed complementary functions that distinguished Sparta with a unique economic and social organization. While the helots and the perioeci were the workforce in agriculture and industry, the Spartans could devote themselves to training, maintaining, and operating the military. The reason for the continual strong military existence was to preserve order in Sparta and hold the large enslaved populations in check.

Sparta's post Peloponnesian War regime

Harmosts, Spartan military governors, were left as the head of the decarchies.[3] As the men appointed were loyal to Lysander rather than Sparta, this system has been described as Lysander's private empire.[4]: 128  In this establishment of a new Aegean order, many lost their lives or were exiled but on the other hand Aegina and Melos were restored to their former inhabitants.[4]
: 129 

Sparta was divided over what to do about Athens itself. Lysander and King Agis were for total destruction as were Sparta's leading allies Corinth and Thebes. However, a more moderate faction led by Pausanias gained the upper hand. Athens was spared but her long walls and the fortifications of Piraeus were demolished. Lysander did manage to insert the significant condition that Athens recall her exiles.[4]: 129 

The return of the exiles to Athens contributed to the political instability of Athens allowing Lysander to establish shortly the oligarchy that has come to be known as Thirty Tyrants, composed of men beholden to him.[4]: 129–130  The danger of so much power being in the hands of one person had become sufficiently clear that both King Agis and King Pausanias agreed that Lysander's wings needed to be clipped. The decarchies were declared abolished and Athens quickly benefited when Sparta permitted democracy to be restored at Athens.[4]: 130–131 

Agesilaus and his campaigns

Agesilaus (left) and Pharnabazus II
(right).

better source needed
]). One of Agesilaus’ biggest supporters was the famous Spartan naval commander Lysander, who was previously Agesilaus’ erastēs, or mentor.

The Campaigns

Agesilaus’ first campaign was one which trekked into the eastern Aegean and Persian territories via the

Asia Minor.[3]

Remaining true to the Spartan ideals of austere living practices, Agesilaus rejected the gold saying “he would rather see it in his soldier’s hands than his own.[3]” Agesilaus did, however, remove his army into Phrygia, grateful for the death of Tissaphernes.

Peloponnesian hoplite in the Corinthian War.[5] Dexileos was killed in action near Corinth in the summer of 394 BC, probably in the Battle of Nemea,[5] or in a proximate engagement.[6] Grave Stele of Dexileos
, 394–393 BC.

Agesilaus soon began another campaign into the western regions of the

Thebans against Sparta. The Corinthian war took place between 395 and 386 BC.[7]

In Greece, the Spartans under Agesilaus met the numerous rebelling poleis. Among the most important battles that the Spartans fought in this war was that of Coronea, which was fought against a coalition of Greeks but especially the Thebans. The Spartans sought the aid of the Persians, asking them to cut off their support of the Thebans, Corinthians and Athenians. The resulting Peace of Antalcidas, named for the Spartan who negotiated it, was established in 386 BC and resulted in Sparta's loss of its Asian territories.[8]

The Boeotian War

Main article: Boeotian War

During the winter of 379/378 BC, a group of Theban exiles were able to sneak into the city and, despite the 1500-strong Spartan garrison, succeed in liberating Thebes.

better source needed] Agesilaus himself did not fight at Leuctra so as not to appear too belligerent.[3]

Sparta after hegemony

During the Spartan hegemony in Athens there is evidence of

Old Oligarch" demonstrates the anti-democratic sentiments in Athens. The “Old Oligarch’s” political outlook is shaped by his belief that the economic classes were the source to political motivation; this view is a direct rejection of democracy's efforts to establish civil unity. The “Old Oligarch” argues that the polis by nature is a battlefield rather than a site of public dialogue because individuals side with their socio-economic rank.[10] Yet, despite this anti-democratic feeling, democracy eventually returned to Athens after the expulsion of the Thirty Tyrants
.

The importance of Sparta in politics largely drops off after Sparta's defeat at Leuctra. Following Agesilaus’ death in 360 BC,

Amphictyonic Council effectively pulling Theban attention away from the Peloponnese.[4]
: 159 

References

  1. ^ a b c d Jones, Nicholas F. Politics and Society in Ancient Greece. Westport, CT: Prager, 2008
  2. ^ a b c Archer, Melanie. The Spartans Alexandria, VA: PBS Home Video, 2003
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Plutarch. "Agesilaus." Lives of Plutarch. Trns. Bernadotte Perrin. Vol. 4. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 1959–67
  4. ^
    ISBN 9781444360530
    .
  5. ^
    ISBN 9781848322226
    .
  6. ^ Lambert, Stephen; Schuddeboom, Feyo; Osborne, Robin. "Epitaph of Dexileos, cavalryman killed in Corinthian war (394 BC)". Attic Inscriptions Online. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  7. ^ Kagan, Donald. "Corinthian Politics and the Revolution of 392 B.C." Historia: Zeitschrift für Alte Geschichte. 11.4 (October 1962): 447–457.
  8. ^ Xenophon. Hellenica. New York: Penguin Books, 1978.
  9. ^
    ISBN 0801835054
    .
  10. ^ Balot, Ryan K. Greek Political Thought. Malden, MA: Blackwell, 2006.

External links

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