--- title: Peloponnesian League author: Mark Cartwright source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Peloponnesian_League/ format: machine-readable-alternate license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) updated: 1970-01-01 --- # Peloponnesian League _Authored by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/)_ The Peloponnesian League (c. 550 BCE - c. 366 BCE) was a loose confederation of [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/)-states led by [Sparta](https://www.worldhistory.org/sparta/). The League was the oldest and longest-lasting political association in the ancient Greek world. For Sparta, the League gave it protection from uprisings within its own borders and eventually secured its dominance in the region and later, following victory in the [Peloponnesian War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Peloponnesian_War/) in 404 BCE, the whole of [Greece](https://www.worldhistory.org/greece/). Then, coming up against a rampant [Thebes](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Thebes/) and their brilliant general [Epaminondas](https://www.worldhistory.org/Epaminondas/), Sparta was defeated at the [Battle of Leuctra](https://www.worldhistory.org/Battle_of_Leuctra/) in 371 BCE. Without its dominant leader the League dissolved shortly thereafter. ### Membership & Responsibilities The name of the League derives from the geographical location of its member states in the [Peloponnese](https://www.worldhistory.org/Peloponnese/) of southern Greece. The Greeks themselves referred to the association as 'the Lakedaimonians and their allies'. Unlike other confederacies such as the contemporary [Delian League](https://www.worldhistory.org/Delian_League/), the Peloponnesian League had no single binding agreement but was, rather, a collection of city-states (*[poleis](https://www.worldhistory.org/Polis/)*) each having negotiated their own terms with dominant Sparta. In this sense, the League was no league at all as when not engaged in collective [warfare](https://www.worldhistory.org/warfare/) city-states were even free to wage [war](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) against each other. Common features, though, of this loose association were the requirement of members to swear to hold common 'friends and enemies', promise reciprocal assistance, and follow the military ambition of their leader (*hegemon*), Sparta. Only in the case of a religious obligation (e.g. the necessity to observe a particular religious festival) could members refuse participation. The League began in c. 550 BCE, according to [Plutarch](https://www.worldhistory.org/plutarch/), so that Sparta might protect itself against both a possible uprising of Sparta's helots (semi-free agricultural labourers) and regional rival [Argos](https://www.worldhistory.org/argos/), in the north of the Peloponnese. The first member was [Tegea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tegea/) which, after resisting Spartan attack, was compelled to form an alliance. By 510 BCE the League encompassed all of the Peloponnese and, under the leadership of Cleomenes I, even spread further to include such [cities](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) as [Megara](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Megara/) and parts of Attica. In c. 494 BCE Argos was defeated (but never became a member) and, according to [Thucydides](https://www.worldhistory.org/Thucydides/) (*History of the Peloponnesian War*, 2.9), over the next 50 years or so the League's membership spread further to include cities in Phocis and Boeotia. Thucydides in his *History of the Peloponnesian War* describes the workings of the League. Members sent delegates to meetings where each city held one vote. This assembly was led by an ephor and decisions about such matters as military campaigns and new memberships were taken by majority. Interestingly, Sparta itself did not vote as their position had already been voted upon by the Spartan assembly. At the same time, there was a provision that Sparta would never have to act against her own interests. Unlike in the Delian League where [Athens](https://www.worldhistory.org/Athens/) compelled members to pay a tribute under any circumstances, the members of the Peloponnesian League had only to contribute militarily when required. The exact number of troops demanded from each city was decided by Sparta. During the dangerous times of the Peloponnesian War (431 BCE - 404 BCE) against Athens and its allies, though, Sparta did go so far as to impose a military governor (*harmost*) on its allies. ### Peloponnesian & Corinthian Wars Besides having the largest and most formidable army, Sparta's domination of the Peloponnesian League was ensured by the fact that the League's military force was always led by a Spartan - either one of the two Spartan kings or a senior Spartan commander. Sparta also directly interfered in the domestic affairs of member states, often promoting rule by an oligarchy favourable to Spartan policy. Following victory in the Peloponnesian War against Athens in 404 BCE and the consequent addition of new [Aegean](https://www.worldhistory.org/aegean/) allies, Sparta held an even tighter grip on member states and the *harmosts* were left in place. [ ![Map of the Peloponnesian War, Beginning](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/153.png?v=1775715306) Map of the Peloponnesian War, Beginning U.S. Military Academy (Public Domain) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/153/map-of-the-peloponnesian-war-beginning/ "Map of the Peloponnesian War, Beginning")In 404 BCE, tired of Elis' increasing sense of self-importance Sparta campaigned against its old ally and put the [city-state](https://www.worldhistory.org/Polis/) in its place by 400 BCE. Continued Spartan ambitions in central and northern Greece, [Asia Minor](https://www.worldhistory.org/Asia_Minor/) and [Sicily](https://www.worldhistory.org/sicily/) once again dragged the city and the League into another protracted conflict, the Corinthian Wars. This pitted the League against Athens, Thebes, [Corinth](https://www.worldhistory.org/corinth/) and [Persia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Persia/) from 396 to 387 BCE. The result of the conflict was the 'King's Peace' where Sparta ceded its [empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/) to Persian control but Sparta was left to dominate Greece. ### Defeat to Thebes & Dissolution Sparta's policy of interfering in the government of League members continued with their heavy-handed treatment of both Mantinea in 385 BCE, dividing up its villages, and with war against Phleious 381-379 BCE. From 382 BCE League tribute was required in money, not just arms and men as Sparta became ever more ambitious. However, Sparta over-reached itself in trying to crush long-time rival Thebes. The initial success of establishing a garrison at Thebes between 379 and 376 BCE only resulted in antagonising the Thebans. Sparta lost the [Battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) of Tegyra in 375 BCE to Thebes, now a rising power and about to enter its most glorious phase in history. The Spartans then lost the even more crucial Battle of Leuctra in 371 BCE against the brilliant Theban general Epaminondas. Thereafter, the League declined and, with the treaties formed between Corinth, Phleious and Thebes, the Peloponnesian League was, in effect, dissolved by c. 366 BCE. #### Editorial Review This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/). ## Bibliography - Bagnall, R. et al. *The Encyclopedia of Ancient History.* Wiley-Blackwell, 2012 - [Herodotus. *The Landmark Herodotus.* Anchor Books, 2009.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/1400031141/) - [Hornblower, S. *The Oxford Classical Dictionary.* Oxford University Press, 2012.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0199545561/) - [Kinzl, H. *A Companion to the Classical Greek World.* Wiley-Blackwell, 2010.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/1444334123/) - [Thucydides. *The Landmark Thucydides.* Free Press, 1998.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0684827905/) - [Xenophon. *The Landmark Xenophon's Hellenika.* Anchor, 2010.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/1400034760/) ## About the Author Mark is WHE’s Publishing Director and has an MA in Political Philosophy (University of York). He is a full-time researcher, writer, historian and editor. Special interests include art, architecture and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share. ## Timeline - **c. 550 BCE - c. 366 BCE**: [Peloponnesian League](https://www.worldhistory.org/Peloponnesian_League/) alliance between [Sparta](https://www.worldhistory.org/sparta/), [Corinth](https://www.worldhistory.org/corinth/), Elis and [Tegea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tegea/) which establishes Spartan hegemony over the [Peloponnese](https://www.worldhistory.org/Peloponnese/). - **494 BCE - 493 BCE**: Spartan forces under Cleomenes I attack the [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) of [Argos](https://www.worldhistory.org/argos/). - **494 BCE - 493 BCE**: [Telesilla of Argos](https://www.worldhistory.org/Telesilla_of_Argos/) defends her [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) against the Spartan forces with an army of [women](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/women/). - **c. 490 BCE**: [Leonidas](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Leonidas/) beomes one of [Sparta](https://www.worldhistory.org/sparta/)'s two kings. - **Aug 480 BCE**: [Battle of Thermopylae](https://www.worldhistory.org/thermopylae/). 300 Spartans under King [Leonidas](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Leonidas/) and other [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) allies hold back the Persians led by [Xerxes I](https://www.worldhistory.org/Xerxes_I/) for three days but are defeated. - **479 BCE**: [Xerxes](https://www.worldhistory.org/Xerxes_I/)' Persian forces are defeated by [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) forces at [Plataea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Plataea/) effectively ending [Persia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Persia/)'s imperial ambitions in [Greece](https://www.worldhistory.org/greece/). - **478 BCE**: [Sparta](https://www.worldhistory.org/sparta/) withdraws from alliance against [Persia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Persia/). - **464 BCE - 463 BCE**: [Earthquake](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/earthquake/) in [Sparta](https://www.worldhistory.org/sparta/), followed by slave revolt. Surrender of Thasos. - **460 BCE - 445 BCE**: First [Peloponnesian War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Peloponnesian_War/). - **432 BCE**: [Sparta](https://www.worldhistory.org/sparta/) declares that [Athens](https://www.worldhistory.org/Athens/) has broken the Thirty Year Peace and prepares for [war](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/). - **431 BCE - 404 BCE**: The 2nd [Peloponnesian War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Peloponnesian_War/) between [Athens](https://www.worldhistory.org/Athens/) and [Sparta](https://www.worldhistory.org/sparta/) (the [Delian League](https://www.worldhistory.org/Delian_League/) and the [Peloponnesian League](https://www.worldhistory.org/Peloponnesian_League/)) which involved all of [Greece](https://www.worldhistory.org/greece/). - **429 BCE**: Peloponnesian forces led by [Sparta](https://www.worldhistory.org/sparta/) begin the siege of [Plataea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Plataea/). - **427 BCE**: [Plataea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Plataea/) finally falls to the Spartans after a two year siege. - **424 BCE**: Spartan [Brasidas](https://www.worldhistory.org/Brasidas/)' campaign in Thrace. - **424 BCE**: Spartan general [Brasidas](https://www.worldhistory.org/Brasidas/) takes [Amphipolis](https://www.worldhistory.org/Amphipolis/), [Thucydides](https://www.worldhistory.org/Thucydides/) failed to prevent this and is exiled. - **424 BCE**: A force of Athenian peltasts defeat Spartan hoplites on Sphaktria in the [Peloponnese](https://www.worldhistory.org/Peloponnese/). - **422 BCE**: Spartan general [Brasidas](https://www.worldhistory.org/Brasidas/) employs Myrkinian and Chalkidian peltasts to defeat a force of Athenian hoplites at [Amphipolis](https://www.worldhistory.org/Amphipolis/). - **421 BCE**: Spartan soldiers return from campaigning Thrace, some as [Neodamodeis](https://www.worldhistory.org/Neodamodeis/). - **420 BCE**: [Sparta](https://www.worldhistory.org/sparta/) is excluded from the [Olympic Games](https://www.worldhistory.org/Olympic_Games/) for breaking the *ekecheiria* or sacred truce. - **418 BCE**: [Sparta](https://www.worldhistory.org/sparta/), led by Agis II, defeats [Argos](https://www.worldhistory.org/argos/) and her allies at the [battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) of Mantinaea. - **413 BCE**: On the advice of [Alcibiades](https://www.worldhistory.org/Alcibiades/) the Spartans take over the Athenian-held fort of Dekeleia. - **412 BCE**: [Sparta](https://www.worldhistory.org/sparta/) allies with [Persia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Persia/). - **410 BCE**: [Alcibiades](https://www.worldhistory.org/Alcibiades/) leads the Athenian fleet to victory over [Sparta](https://www.worldhistory.org/sparta/) at Cyzicus. - **c. 407 BCE**: The Athenian fleet is defeated by [Lysander](https://www.worldhistory.org/Lysander/) of [Sparta](https://www.worldhistory.org/sparta/) at Notium. - **404 BCE**: Spartan general [Lysander](https://www.worldhistory.org/Lysander/) attacks the Athenian port of [Piraeus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Piraeus/) destroying parts of the Long [Wall](https://www.worldhistory.org/wall/) fortifications. - **c. 398 BCE**: [Xenophon](https://www.worldhistory.org/xenophon/) works as mercenary for [Sparta](https://www.worldhistory.org/sparta/). - **395 BCE - 386 BCE**: The Corinthian Wars between [Sparta](https://www.worldhistory.org/sparta/) and an alliance of [Athens](https://www.worldhistory.org/Athens/), [Corinth](https://www.worldhistory.org/corinth/), [Argos](https://www.worldhistory.org/argos/), Boeotia and [Thebes](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Thebes/). - **394 BCE**: Spartan king [Agesilaus II](https://www.worldhistory.org/Agesilaus_II/) defeats a Theban coalition at the [battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) of Coronea. - **390 BCE**: Athenian leader Iphikrates employs peltasts to defeat Spartan hoplites at Lechaion near [Corinth](https://www.worldhistory.org/corinth/). - **387 BCE**: [Sparta](https://www.worldhistory.org/sparta/) attacks the Athenian port of [Piraeus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Piraeus/). - **382 BCE - 379 BCE**: [Sparta](https://www.worldhistory.org/sparta/) establishes a garrison at [Thebes](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Thebes/). - **378 BCE - 377 BCE**: Spartan king [Agesilaus II](https://www.worldhistory.org/Agesilaus_II/) campaigns in Boeotia. - **377 BCE - 355 BCE**: The Cycladic [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) states join [Athens](https://www.worldhistory.org/Athens/) in the Second Athenian League against [Sparta](https://www.worldhistory.org/sparta/) . - **375 BCE**: [Thebes](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Thebes/) defeats [Sparta](https://www.worldhistory.org/sparta/) at the [Battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) of Tegyra. - **371 BCE**: [Thebes](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Thebes/), led by [Epaminondas](https://www.worldhistory.org/Epaminondas/), defeats [Sparta](https://www.worldhistory.org/sparta/) in the [Battle of Leuctra](https://www.worldhistory.org/Battle_of_Leuctra/). ## External Links - [This is Sparta: Fierce warriors of the ancient world - Craig Zimmer](http://ed.ted.com/lessons/this-is-sparta-fierce-warriors-of-the-ancient-world-craig-zimmer) ## Cite This Work ### APA Cartwright, M. (2016, March 09). Peloponnesian League. *World History Encyclopedia*. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Peloponnesian\_League/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Peloponnesian_League/) ### Chicago Cartwright, Mark. "Peloponnesian League." *World History Encyclopedia*, March 09, 2016. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Peloponnesian\_League/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Peloponnesian_League/). ### MLA Cartwright, Mark. "Peloponnesian League." *World History Encyclopedia*, 09 Mar 2016, [https://www.worldhistory.org/Peloponnesian\_League/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Peloponnesian_League/). ## License & Copyright Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 09 March 2016. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.