Battle of Cyzicus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Cyzicus |
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| Part of the Peloponnesian War | |||||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||||
| Athens | Sparta Achaemenid Empire |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
| Alcibiades Thrasybulus Theramenes Chaereas |
Mindarus † Hippocrates Clearchus Hermocrates Pharnabazus |
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| Strength | |||||||||
| 86 triremes | 60–80 triremes | ||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
| Minimal | Entire fleet | ||||||||
The Battle of Cyzicus was a big naval battle that happened in 410 BC during the Peloponnesian War. In this battle, the Athenian fleet, led by clever generals like Alcibiades, Thrasybulus, and Theramenes, completely defeated the Spartan fleet. This huge victory helped Athens get back control of many cities in the Hellespont area. After losing so badly, Sparta even offered to make peace, but Athens said no.
Contents
Why the Battle Happened
Athens was in a tough spot after a big defeat in Sicily. Their control over the Hellespont, an important sea passage, was weakening. Sparta, Athens' main enemy, was getting help from the powerful Persian Empire.
Cyzicus Revolts
The city of Cyzicus, which was part of the Athenian Empire, rebelled in 411 BC. Athens managed to get it back after another battle. However, the Spartan admiral Mindarus was determined to challenge Athens' power.
Sparta's New Plan
Mindarus asked Sparta for more ships and worked with the Persian leader Pharnabazus. Together, they planned a new attack. Athens, on the other hand, didn't have much money left. They couldn't afford big military actions.
Spartan Fleet Grows
By spring 410 BC, Mindarus had gathered at least 60 ships. With support from Pharnabazus's soldiers, they captured Cyzicus. The Athenian fleet in the Hellespont had to retreat. They went to Cardia to avoid the stronger Spartan force. There, they regrouped under their generals Alcibiades, Theramenes, and Thrasybulus.
Athens Prepares for Battle
The Athenian fleet, now stronger, included land troops led by Chaereas. They sailed back to the Hellespont to face Mindarus and his forces.
Who Fought and How Strong They Were
The Persian leader Pharnabazus had many land soldiers, including strong cavalry (soldiers on horseback). Mindarus was in charge of the Spartan fleet.
Spartan Strength
Some historians say Mindarus had about 80 ships. Others, like Xenophon (who wrote closer to the time), say he had 60 ships. These ships came from different places, even as far as Syracuse in Sicily. However, the Spartans were not as skilled at sea battles as the Athenians.
Athenian Strength
The Athenian fleet was united under Alcibiades, who was the senior general. Theramenes and Thrasybulus were his junior commanders. The Athenians had about 86 ships. The Spartans didn't know that the Athenian fleets had joined together and grown in number.
The Battle Unfolds
The Athenian fleet sailed into the Hellespont. They passed the Spartan base at Abydos at night so their numbers wouldn't be seen. They set up their own base on Proconnesus Island, which was northwest of Cyzicus.
Alcibiades's Clever Plan
The next day, the Athenians landed Chaereas's soldiers near Cyzicus. The Athenian fleet then split up. Twenty ships, led by Alcibiades, sailed towards Cyzicus. The main Athenian fleet, led by Thrasybulus and Theramenes, stayed hidden behind them.
The Trap Is Set
Mindarus saw Alcibiades's small group of ships. He thought it was a chance to attack a much weaker force. So, he sailed out with his entire fleet to chase them. Alcibiades's ships pretended to run away, drawing Mindarus further from the harbor.
Spartans Are Surrounded
Once both fleets were far from the harbor, Alcibiades suddenly turned his ships to face Mindarus. At the same time, Thrasybulus and Theramenes appeared with their hidden ships. They cut off Mindarus's escape route back to the harbor. Mindarus realized he was trapped. He quickly tried to escape towards a beach south of Cyzicus, where Pharnabazus and his soldiers were waiting.
The Fight on Land and Sea
The Spartan fleet suffered losses as they fled. They reached the shore with the Athenians right behind them. Alcibiades's troops landed first and tried to pull the Spartan ships back into the sea using grappling hooks. Pharnabazus sent his Persian soldiers to help. They were more numerous and on solid ground, so they started pushing the Athenians back into the water.
Athenian Reinforcements Arrive
Seeing this, Thrasybulus landed his own troops to create a distraction. He ordered Theramenes to combine his soldiers with Chaereas's troops and join the battle. For a while, both Thrasybulus and Alcibiades were pushed back by the stronger Spartan and Persian forces. But when Theramenes and Chaereas arrived, the battle changed. The Spartans and Persians were defeated, and Mindarus was killed. All the Spartan ships were captured, except for those of their allies from Syracuse, who burned their ships as they retreated.
What Happened Next
After this amazing victory, the Athenians had full control of the Hellespont waters. The very next day, they took Cyzicus, which surrendered without a fight.
Spartan Despair
An intercepted letter from the Spartan soldiers stuck near Cyzicus showed how bad things were for them. It read: "The ships are gone. Mindarus is dead. The men are starving. We know not what to do." The Spartans were so discouraged by losing their entire fleet that they sent a message to Athens, asking for peace. But the Athenians said no.
Athens' Missed Chance
In Athens, the government changed back to a democracy a few months after the battle. A new force was prepared to join the troops in the Hellespont. However, this force didn't leave until more than a year later. Even though the Athenians eventually recaptured Byzantium and started collecting money from Chalcedon again, they never fully used the advantage they gained at Cyzicus.
Sparta Rebuilds
This was mostly because Athens still had money problems. Even after the victory, their treasury was low. Meanwhile, the Spartans, with money from Persia, quickly rebuilt their fleet. They would go on to challenge Athens again. Athens won only one more naval battle in the war, at Arginusae. Their big defeat at Aegospotami in 405 BC finally ended the war. Even though Cyzicus was a huge win for Athens, Sparta eventually recovered and won the war six years later.
Sources
- Diodorus Siculus, Library
- Kagan, Donald. The Peloponnesian War (Penguin Books, 2003) ISBN: 0-670-03211-5
