Pylos and Sphacteria 425 BC

Sparta's island of disaster

Pylos and Sphacteria 425 BC cover

Pylos and Sphacteria 425 BC

Sparta's island of disaster

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Description

During the Peloponnesian War the Athenians occupied the promontory of Pylos to counter Sparta's repeated invasions of Attica. Over two days of fighting the small garrison beat off the Spartan army and the returning Athenian fleet won a crushing victory in the nearby waters, stranding a contingent of elite Spartan hoplites on the island of Sphacteria. With the campaigning season drawing to a close the Athenians mounted an attack on the island using an unconventional amphibious night assault they overran the Spartan outpost covering the beaches and light-armed missile troops landed at daybreak in overwhelming numbers. The Spartans were slowly driven back to their stronghold, losing men steadily as they were prevented from engaging in the hand-to-hand fighting at which they excelled. With their commander dead and his deputy incapacitated by wounds, the 292 survivors surrendered. This was a surprising blow to the Spartans' glorious reputation, and these prestigious prisoners-of-war served the Athenians very well as bargaining counters in the diplomatic activity that punctuated the hostilities that continued for the next four years.

Table of Contents

Origins of the campaign /Chronology /Opposing commanders /Opposing armies /Orders of battle /Opposing plans /The campaign /Aftermath /The battlefields today /Further reading /Index

Product details

Published 20 Dec 2013
Format Paperback
Edition 1st
Extent 96
ISBN 9781782002710
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Dimensions 248 x 184 mm
Series Campaign
Short code CAM 261
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

William Shepherd

William Shepherd studied classics at Clare College…

Illustrator

Peter Dennis

Peter Dennis was inspired by contemporary magazine…

Resources

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