Chabrias facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chabrias
Chabrias (left, with shield) with Spartan king Agesilaus (center left), serving Egyptian king Nectanebo I and his regent Teos, Egypt 361 BC.
Born	Aixone, Athens (now Glyfada)
Died	357 BC Chios
Allegiance	Athens
Rank	Strategos
Battles/wars	Corinthian War Boeotian War Social War

Chabrias (Greek: Χαβρίας; born before 420 BC – died 357 BC) was a famous Athenian general. He lived in ancient Athens during the 300s BC. During his time, he fought in many important battles on both land and sea.

A famous speaker named Demosthenes once said that Chabrias was one of Athens' most successful leaders. He was known for never losing a city, a fort, a ship, or a soldier when he was in charge.

Who Was Chabrias?

We don't know much about Chabrias's early life. His father's name was Ktesippos, and he was wealthy. This meant he had to help pay for public services, like providing a warship for Athens. Chabrias also had a son, who was named Ktesippos, just like his grandfather.

Chabrias's Military Career

What Was the Corinthian War?

Chabrias first became a general, or strategos, around 390 BC during the Corinthian War. This war was named after the city of Corinth, where much of the fighting happened. Athens teamed up with cities like Thebes, Corinth, and Argos. They wanted to challenge Sparta's power and how it treated other Greek cities.

Chabrias's first job was to take over command of the Athenian soldiers in Corinth. Later, in 388 BC, he led a small fleet of ten ships and 800 light-armed soldiers. Their mission was to help King Evagoras of Salamis, on the island of Cyprus. Evagoras was trying to break free from the Persian Empire.

On his way, Chabrias stopped at the island of Aegina. Spartan soldiers there were causing trouble for Athenian ships and raiding villages. Chabrias planned a clever trap. His soldiers landed at night. The next morning, another Athenian force marched openly inland. The Spartans came out to fight them and fell right into Chabrias's ambush. Their commander was killed, and Athens regained control of the sea.

The Corinthian War ended with a peace agreement. The Persian King, Artaxerxes II, helped arrange it. After the war, many Greek soldiers became mercenaries, fighting for other countries. Chabrias also did this. Around 386-384 BC, he worked for the Egyptian king Hakor, who was also trying to break away from Persia.

The Persian King was not happy about Chabrias helping Egypt. He complained to Athens. To keep the Persian King happy, Athens called Chabrias back home. Even though this was a bit embarrassing for Athens, it didn't hurt Chabrias's career in the long run. He was soon called back to serve Athens.

The Boeotian War and a Famous Pose

In 379 BC, Thebes and Sparta started fighting. Sparta had taken control of Thebes's main fort, the Cadmeia. Thebans living in Athens returned home, drove out the Spartans, and took back their city. Sparta sent an army to fight back.

Chabrias was sent to guard the border near Eleutherai. This stopped the Spartan army from marching through Athens's land. Athens soon joined the war on Thebes's side.

In 378 BC, the Spartan King Agesilaos II led a large army into Thebes. Chabrias was sent with 5,000 mercenary soldiers to help Thebes. They took a strong position on a ridge near the city. The Spartans attacked, but Chabrias's troops held their ground.

As the main Spartan soldiers, called hoplites, started climbing the ridge, Chabrias gave a signal. All the Athenian soldiers, along with the brave Theban Sacred Band, instantly stood at ease. Their shields rested on their left knees, and their spears pointed upwards from the ground. This was a sign of confidence and discipline. King Agesilaos was so impressed that he decided not to attack them uphill. He pulled his forces back. This was a big win for Thebes's morale.

This famous pose became so well-known that when a statue of Chabrias was put up in Athens, it showed him in that very position. Other athletes and winners later copied this idea for their own statues!

Expanding Athens's Power

In 378 BC, Athens started building a new alliance called the Second Athenian Confederacy. Many cities joined, especially on the island of Euboea. However, one city, Histiaia, did not want to join. Athens had taken over Histiaia in the past.

Chabrias was sent to deal with Histiaia. He attacked the city and set up a fort there, leaving soldiers behind. Then, he sailed to the Cyclades islands and convinced other islands that had been under Spartan control to join Athens's new league.

Two years later, in 376 BC, Sparta tried to stop grain shipments from reaching Athens by sea. This caused problems for Athens. Chabrias was sent with a fleet to break the Spartan blockade. The battle happened near the island of Naxos, and Athens won!

After the battle, Chabrias did something special. Instead of chasing the fleeing Spartan ships, he stopped his own ships to rescue his soldiers who were in the water, both living and dead. He remembered a past battle where Athenian generals were punished for not rescuing their men. Because of his care, he was greatly admired. This was Athens's first naval victory since the Peloponnesian War.

To thank Chabrias for his victory and service, Athens gave him and his family ateleia. This meant they didn't have to pay for public services like providing warships. But Chabrias was so dedicated that he still chose to serve as a warship captain and even funded a chorus for plays later on!

Around 373 BC, Chabrias won a chariot race at the Pythian games, a big athletic event. He even threw a victory party at his mansion near the coast south of Athens.

Changing Powers in Greece

In 371 BC, Thebes defeated Sparta at the Battle of Leuctra. This changed everything in Greece. Thebes became the strongest power. They invaded the Peloponnese region many times, freeing people who had been Spartan slaves for centuries. Seeing Thebes become so powerful, Athens decided to make a defense treaty with Sparta.

In 369 BC, Thebes planned another invasion. Chabrias was sent with an army to Corinth to help Sparta and its allies. They set up a strong defense line. The Thebans managed to break through and attack the countryside. They even forced their way into the city of Corinth. But Chabrias and his Athenian soldiers fought them back out!

Chabrias's troops held a strong position and fought bravely. They killed many Theban attackers. Chabrias was praised for his courage and smart leadership.

Later Missions and His Death

Chabrias didn't get involved much in Athenian politics, but he was sometimes linked with important politicians. For example, in 366 BC, he and another politician advised Athens not to go to war over a small village called Oropos. Control of this area often changed between Athens and Thebes. Chabrias believed the problem could be solved peacefully.

Later, in 362 BC, Chabrias again helped an Egyptian king who was fighting against Persia. This time, he joined the aging Spartan King Agesilaos, who led the army. Chabrias was in charge of the navy. Chabrias went on his own, without Athens's official permission, but this time, Athens didn't call him back.

The Social War and Chabrias's Final Battle

In 357 BC, four cities that were part of Athens's alliance (Byzantium, Rhodes, Chios, and Kos) had internal rebellions. They felt Athens was too controlling. These cities announced they were leaving the alliance. This started the Social War.

The Athenian admiral Chares was sent with a fleet to deal with the situation. Chabrias was also part of this mission, serving as a warship captain.

Chabrias died during the siege of Chios. Even though he was not the main commander, the soldiers respected him greatly. He was eager to be the first to enter the harbor. He ordered his ship's captain to steer directly into it. However, the other ships did not follow.

Chabrias's ship was surrounded by enemy vessels. While he fought bravely, his ship was hit and began to sink. He could have jumped into the sea and swam to safety, as the Athenian fleet was nearby. But Chabrias chose to die fighting rather than abandon his ship and his weapons. He believed an honorable death was better than a dishonorable life. He was killed fighting hand-to-hand with the enemy.

Images for kids

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  Chabrias (left, with shield) with Spartan king Agesilaus (center left), serving Egyptian king Nectanebo I and his regent Teos, Egypt 361 BC.