War in 195 BC fought between the Greek city-state of Sparta and a coalition composed of Rome, the Achaean League, Pergamum, Rhodes, and Macedon
The Laconian War ended Sparta's independence as a major Greek power, leading to its forced absorption into the Achaean League.
Key Facts
- Year fought
- 195 BC
- War indemnity duration
- 8 years of payments to Rome
- Spartan naval base captured
- Gythium
- City at dispute
- Argos, ceded to Achaean League
- Coalition members
- Rome, Achaean League, Pergamon, Rhodes, Macedon
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
During the Second Macedonian War (200–196 BC), Macedon granted Sparta control of Argos. When the war ended, Sparta refused to relinquish the city. Rome and its allies used this continued occupation as a formal pretext to declare war on Sparta.
The anti-Spartan coalition besieged Argos, captured the Spartan naval base at Gythium, and subsequently besieged Sparta itself. Negotiations brought the conflict to a close on Roman terms, stripping Sparta of Argos and its Laconian coastal towns and imposing an eight-year war indemnity.
Sparta lost its standing as a major Greek power. Its ruler Nabis was later assassinated, and Sparta was forcibly incorporated into the Achaean League, ending centuries of political independence. Subsequent efforts to reclaim lost territories all failed.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
5 belligerents