The Athenian victory at Arginusae was the largest naval battle of the Peloponnesian War, yet led to the execution of six victorious generals and Athens' rejection of peace.
Key Facts
- Date
- 406 BC
- Athenian commanders
- Eight strategoi
- Spartan commander
- Callicratidas
- Athenian ships disabled or sunk
- 25 triremes
- Generals tried and executed
- 6 of 8 commanding generals
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
A Spartan naval victory under Callicratidas blockaded the Athenian fleet commanded by Conon at Mytilene. To break the blockade, Athens hastily assembled a large fleet of newly built ships crewed largely by inexperienced sailors, including slaves and metics who were promised citizenship for their service.
Near the Arginusae Islands east of Lesbos, eight Athenian strategoi employed unorthodox tactics to overcome their crews' inexperience and defeated the Spartan fleet, killing Callicratidas. A subsequent storm prevented rescue of survivors from approximately 25 disabled or sunken Athenian triremes, resulting in the drowning of a large number of sailors.
Public outrage at Athens over the abandoned sailors led to the unprecedented collective trial and execution of six victorious generals. Sparta sued for peace, but Athens rejected the offer. Lysander subsequently took command of the Spartan fleet and within a year decisively defeated Athens at the Battle of Aegospotami, effectively ending the Peloponnesian War.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Eight Athenian Strategoi (incl. Conon).
Side B
1 belligerent
Callicratidas.