Battle of Aegospotami
405 BCE · Aegospotami (north shore of the Dardanelles, modern Turkey) · World · Ancient
The Athenian fleet let its guard down while resting on the beach, and Lysander seized the chance to launch a surprise attack, destroying almost the entire Athenian fleet.
Belligerents
Sparta
- Commanders
- Lysander
- Strength
- Spartan and allied fleet
Athens
- Commanders
- Conon
- Strength
- Athenian fleet of about 180 ships
Background
Late in the war, Athens' finances were exhausted and its fleet's morale was low, while Lysander, with a fleet rebuilt with Persian funding, sought a decisive battle.
Course of the battle
- Days of failed attempts to draw battleThe two forces faced each other for days, and the Athenians gradually grew complacent
- Surprise attack on the beachLysander launched a surprise attack while the Athenians were ashore resting
- Fleet almost wholly destroyedMost of the Athenian fleet destroyed or captured
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 405 BCE |
|---|---|
| Place | Aegospotami (on the northern shore of the Dardanelles, present-day Turkey) |
| Result | The Athenian fleet let its guard down while resting on the beach, and Lysander seized the chance to launch a surprise attack, destroying almost the entire Athenian fleet. |
| Winner | Sparta |
| Casualties | Almost the entire Athenian fleet was destroyed or captured, and large numbers of its crews were captured and executed. |
| Territorial change | Athenian sea power was destroyed, and the following year Athens was forced to surrender, ending the Peloponnesian War. |
Impact
It led directly to the surrender of Athens, ending the 27-year Peloponnesian War, and Sparta established its hegemony over Greece.
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