During the spring of 411 BC, the Eretrians drove the Athenians out of Oropos with the help of the Boeotians. This city was a strategic point for Athens because it allowed them to control all of Euboea. Moreover, all the commercial traffic was made through the city. The Eretrians would hope that Sparta would help them to end the Athenian rule on Euboea.
Battleedit
By the end of the summer 411 BC, a large Spartan fleet sailed towards Euboea. The Athenians tried to prevent the Euboeans from switching sides by sending a squadron to Eretria under Thymochares. However, the Eretrians supported the Spartans. While the Athenians were in the harbour of Eretria in order to supply themselves, the Eretrians informed the Spartan admiralHegesandridas by a signal fire that it was an appropriate time to attack. The Athenians hurriedly embarked but were defeated during the naval battle which followed with the Athenians losing 22 ships.[1] The Athenians who tried to take refuge in Eretria were killed by the town's inhabitants. Only those who decided to go to the Athenian fort in Eretria (which was likely on the Pezonisi Peninsula) survived.
Aftermathedit
Following the battle, almost all of Euboea switched sides. Then there was a huge debate as to whether the Athenians would take them back, ending up in a massacre of Eretrians.
^Thucydides, viii.95.2-7; Xenophon, Hellenica, i.1.1; Diodorus Siculus, xiii.36.4. See D. H. Kelly, Xenophon's Hellenika: a Commentary (ed. J. McDonald), Amsterdam, 2019, p. 67.
Sourcesedit
April 10, 2024
battle, eretria, this, article, includes, list, references, related, reading, external, links, sources, remain, unclear, because, lacks, inline, citations, please, help, improve, this, article, introducing, more, precise, citations, september, 2014, learn, whe. This article includes a list of references related reading or external links but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations Please help improve this article by introducing more precise citations September 2014 Learn how and when to remove this template message The naval Battle of Eretria between Sparta and Athens took place in September 411 BC off the coast of Euboea Battle of EretriaPart of the Peloponnesian WarDateSeptember 411 BCLocationoff the coast of EuboeaResultSpartan victoryBelligerentsAthensSpartaCommanders and leadersHegesandridasStrength36 ships42 shipsCasualties and losses22 shipsMinimal Contents 1 Background 2 Battle 3 Aftermath 4 See also 5 References 6 SourcesBackground editDuring the spring of 411 BC the Eretrians drove the Athenians out of Oropos with the help of the Boeotians This city was a strategic point for Athens because it allowed them to control all of Euboea Moreover all the commercial traffic was made through the city The Eretrians would hope that Sparta would help them to end the Athenian rule on Euboea Battle editBy the end of the summer 411 BC a large Spartan fleet sailed towards Euboea The Athenians tried to prevent the Euboeans from switching sides by sending a squadron to Eretria under Thymochares However the Eretrians supported the Spartans While the Athenians were in the harbour of Eretria in order to supply themselves the Eretrians informed the Spartan admiral Hegesandridas by a signal fire that it was an appropriate time to attack The Athenians hurriedly embarked but were defeated during the naval battle which followed with the Athenians losing 22 ships 1 The Athenians who tried to take refuge in Eretria were killed by the town s inhabitants Only those who decided to go to the Athenian fort in Eretria which was likely on the Pezonisi Peninsula survived Aftermath editFollowing the battle almost all of Euboea switched sides Then there was a huge debate as to whether the Athenians would take them back ending up in a massacre of Eretrians See also editSiege of EretriaReferences edit Thucydides viii 95 2 7 Xenophon Hellenica i 1 1 Diodorus Siculus xiii 36 4 See D H Kelly Xenophon s Hellenika a Commentary ed J McDonald Amsterdam 2019 p 67 Sources editSwiss School of Archeology Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Battle of Eretria amp oldid 1175781772, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
