The Roman victory ended the Achaean War and led to the complete destruction of Corinth, marking the start of direct Roman dominance over Greece.
Key Facts
- Year
- 146 BC
- Also known as
- Battle of Leucapetra / Battle of Lefkopetra
- War
- Achaean War
- Outcome
- Decisive Roman victory; Corinth destroyed
- Fate of Corinthian men
- Killed
- Fate of women and children
- Enslaved
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Rome and the Achaean League had entered into conflict weeks before the battle. Roman forces swiftly destroyed the main Achaean army at Scarpheia and conquered Boeotia. Despite these losses, the Achaeans refused to surrender and assembled a final force to defend Corinth, the capital of their League.
The Roman army engaged the last Achaean force outside Corinth in a battle lasting only a few hours. The Achaeans were decisively routed, with their troops killed, captured, or scattered. After waiting several days, Roman commander Mummius led his forces into the city itself.
On Mummius's orders, Corinth was burned to the ground; all men were killed and women and children were enslaved. The destruction of Corinth brought the Achaean War to a close and allowed Rome to subjugate the rest of Greece, inaugurating a long period of Roman political dominance over the Greek world.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Lucius Mummius.
Side B
1 belligerent