Battle of Haliartus

Overview

The Battle of Haliartus was fought in 395 BC between Sparta and Athens. After the Athenian defeat at the Peloponnesian War, Athens tried to recover, but also gained the support of Boeotia. Dissatisfied with this situation, Sparta sent an army against Athens and was defeated by the Athenians and Boeotians. Lysander, one of Sparta's most successful generals, was killed in this battle. Haliartus marked the start of the Corinthian War, which continued until 387 BC.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Significance

The Battle of Haliartus marked the opening engagement of the Corinthian War, which continued until 387 BC. Coming after Athens's defeat in the Peloponnesian War, the battle reflected Athens's efforts to recover and its cultivation of Boeotian support — an alignment that directly alarmed Sparta and prompted a Spartan military response. The Spartan force was defeated by the combined Athenian and Boeotian opposition. Most consequentially, the battle cost Sparta the life of Lysander, one of its most successful generals, a loss that carried significant weight at the outset of a prolonged conflict.

Commanders (1)