Pylos and Sphacteria 425 BC

Sparta's island of disaster

Nonfiction, History, Greece, Ancient History, Military, Other
Cover of the book Pylos and Sphacteria 425 BC by William Shepherd, Bloomsbury Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: William Shepherd ISBN: 9781782002734
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Publication: December 20, 2013
Imprint: Osprey Publishing Language: English
Author: William Shepherd
ISBN: 9781782002734
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication: December 20, 2013
Imprint: Osprey Publishing
Language: English

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.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

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.

More books from Bloomsbury Publishing

Cover of the book Will you be my Friend? by William Shepherd
Cover of the book B-25 Mitchell Units of the MTO by William Shepherd
Cover of the book 1950s American Fashion by William Shepherd
Cover of the book Rood Screens by William Shepherd
Cover of the book 42cm 'Big Bertha' and German Siege Artillery of World War I by William Shepherd
Cover of the book The Dnepr 1943 by William Shepherd
Cover of the book Warship 2018 by William Shepherd
Cover of the book Sophie and the Sibyl by William Shepherd
Cover of the book Actors and Performers Yearbook 2016 by William Shepherd
Cover of the book Plotinus the Platonist by William Shepherd
Cover of the book The Lost Language of Cranes by William Shepherd
Cover of the book Albert's Boy by William Shepherd
Cover of the book Gender, Sex and the Shaping of Modern Europe by William Shepherd
Cover of the book Antigone by William Shepherd
Cover of the book Reeds Vol 12 Motor Engineering Knowledge for Marine Engineers by William Shepherd
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy