Today's Passage
This passage describes the opening moves of the major Spartan campaign against Argos in 418 BCE, following the breakdown of the Peace of Nicias.
Crawley Translation (1910)
In the middle of the next summer the Lacedaemonians, seeing the Epidaurians, their allies, in distress, and the rest of Peloponnese either in revolt or disaffected, concluded that it was high time for them to interfere if they wished to stop the progress of the evil, and accordingly with their full force, the Helots included, took the field against Argos, under the command of Agis, son of Archidamus, king of the Lacedaemonians. The Tegeans and the other Arcadian allies of Lacedaemon joined in the expedition. The allies from the rest of Peloponnese and from outside mustered at Phlius; the Boeotians with five thousand heavy infantry and as many light troops, and five hundred horse and the same number of dismounted troopers; the Corinthians with two thousand heavy infantry; the rest more or less as might happen; and the Phliasians with all their forces, the army being in their country.
The preparations of the Lacedaemonians from the first had been known to the Argives, who did not, however, take the field until the enemy was on his road to join the rest at Phlius. Reinforced by the Mantineans with their allies, and by three thousand Elean heavy infantry, they advanced and fell in with the Lacedaemonians at Methydrium in Arcadia. Each party took up its position upon a hill, and the Argives prepared to engage the Lacedaemonians while they were alone; but Agis eluded them by breaking up his camp in the night, and proceeded to join the rest of the allies at Phlius. The Argives discovering this at daybreak, marched first to Argos and then to the Nemean road, by which they expected the Lacedaemonians and their allies would come down. However, Agis, instead of taking this road as they expected, gave the Lacedaemonians, Arcadians, and Epidaurians their orders, and went along another difficult road, and descended into the plain of Argos. The Corinthians, Pellenians, and Phliasians marched by another steep road; while the Boeotians, Megarians, and Sicyonians had instructions to come down by the Nemean road where the Argives were posted, in order that, if the enemy advanced into the plain against the troops of Agis, they might fall upon his rear with their cavalry. These dispositions concluded, Agis invaded the plain and began to ravage Saminthus and other places.
Modern Translation
In the middle of the following summer, the Spartans observed that their allies the Epidaurians were under severe pressure, while the rest of the Peloponnese was either actively rebelling or growing increasingly hostile to their authority. They recognized that immediate intervention was essential if they hoped to prevent the situation from deteriorating further. Consequently, they mobilized their entire military force, including the Helots, and marched against Argos under the leadership of King Agis, son of Archidamus. The Tegeans and other Arcadian allies of Sparta participated in this campaign. Their remaining allies from throughout the Peloponnese and beyond assembled at Phlius: the Boeotians contributed five thousand heavy infantry, an equal number of light troops, plus five hundred cavalry and the same number of mounted infantry fighting on foot; the Corinthians provided two thousand heavy infantry; other states sent forces according to their capabilities; and the Phliasians committed their entire army, since the campaign was taking place in their territory.
The Argives had been aware of Spartan preparations from the beginning, but they delayed taking the field until they learned the enemy was advancing to rendezvous with their allies at Phlius. Strengthened by Mantinean forces and their allies, along with three thousand Elean heavy infantry, they marched out and encountered the Spartans at Methydrium in Arcadia. Both armies positioned themselves on opposing hills, and the Argives made ready to attack the Spartans while they were still isolated. However, Agis outmaneuvered them by striking camp during the night and proceeding to unite with his allies at Phlius. When the Argives discovered this at dawn, they first withdrew to Argos, then took up positions along the Nemean road, anticipating that the Spartans and their confederates would advance by that route. But Agis, avoiding their expectations, issued different orders to the Spartans, Arcadians, and Epidaurians, leading them along an alternative, more challenging route down into the Argive plain. The Corinthians, Pellenians, and Phliasians descended by another steep path, while the Boeotians, Megarians, and Sicyonians received instructions to advance along the Nemean road where the Argives were stationed. This would enable them to attack the Argive rear with cavalry if the enemy moved into the plain against Agis's forces. Having completed these strategic deployments, Agis invaded the plain and commenced devastating Saminthus and surrounding areas.
Historical Context
This passage describes the opening moves of the major Spartan campaign against Argos in 418 BCE, following the breakdown of the Peace of Nicias. Sparta, alarmed by growing Argive power and the defection of key Peloponnesian allies, launched a massive invasion to reassert hegemony. King Agis II demonstrates sophisticated strategic thinking by dividing his forces to approach Argos from multiple directions, avoiding the expected route where Argive forces waited. The campaign represents a critical moment when Sparta sought to prevent Argos from creating an anti-Spartan coalition that could fundamentally alter the balance of power in the Peloponnese. This confrontation would culminate in the Battle of Mantinea, one of the largest hoplite battles of the classical period.
Key Themes
Annotations & References
Helots in Spartan Warfare
The inclusion of Helots in this campaign highlights their crucial role in Spartan military operations. Despite being enslaved peoples, Helots served as light troops, baggage carriers, and occasionally as hoplites when promised freedom. Their participation in foreign campaigns reduced the risk of rebellion at home while providing essential military manpower.
Learn more →Peloponnesian League Structure
This passage illustrates the complex alliance system of the Peloponnesian League. While Sparta led, each ally contributed forces according to their capacity and maintained some autonomy. The varied contingents (Boeotian cavalry, Corinthian hoplites) show how different poleis specialized in different military arms based on their resources and traditions.
Learn more →Ancient Greek Strategic Maneuvering
Agis's night march and multi-pronged advance exemplify sophisticated Greek strategic thinking. By dividing forces and using difficult terrain, commanders sought to achieve surprise and prevent enemy concentration. This approach required careful coordination and timing, demonstrating the evolution of Greek warfare beyond simple hoplite clashes.
Learn more →Argos as Regional Power
Argos represented the primary challenger to Spartan hegemony in the Peloponnese. With its democratic government and strategic location, Argos periodically attempted to create anti-Spartan coalitions. This campaign occurred during one such attempt, when Argos allied with Athens, Mantinea, and Elis to challenge Spartan dominance.
Learn more →Parallel Ancient Sources
Diodorus Siculus: Library of History (12.78-79)
Diodorus provides a condensed account of the same campaign, emphasizing the size of forces involved and the strategic importance of preventing Argive expansion. His version highlights the diplomatic preliminaries that Thucydides omits.
Read passage →Plutarch: Life of Alcibiades (15.1-2)
Plutarch mentions this campaign in the context of Alcibiades' role in forming the Argive alliance against Sparta, providing insight into the Athenian perspective and diplomatic maneuvering that precipitated this conflict.
Read passage →Xenophon: Hellenica (5.2.1-7)
Though describing a later period, Xenophon's account of Spartan campaigns against Argos shows continuity in Spartan strategic thinking and the persistent rivalry between these powers, using similar tactical approaches.
Read passage →Discussion Questions
- How does Agis's strategic maneuvering demonstrate the evolution of Greek warfare beyond simple hoplite confrontations? What does this suggest about military leadership in the classical period?
- What does the varied composition of allied forces tell us about the nature of Greek interstate alliances? How did geographic and economic factors influence military specialization?
- Why might Thucydides emphasize the inclusion of Helots in this campaign? What does this reveal about Spartan society and military necessity?
- How does this passage illustrate the fragility of peace in the Greek world? What parallels might we draw to modern alliance systems and regional power struggles?