--- title: Map of the Hellenic Leagues and Hegemonies, 4th century BCE author: Simeon Netchev source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/18222/map-of-the-hellenic-leagues-and-hegemonies-4th-cen/ format: machine-readable-alternate license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0) updated: 2025-11-18 --- # Map of the Hellenic Leagues and Hegemonies, 4th century BCE _Authored by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/)_ ## Image File [![Map of the Hellenic Leagues and Hegemonies, 4th century BCE](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/18222.png)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/18222.png) ## Image Caption The political landscape of the [Hellenic world](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hellenic_World/) shifted dramatically in the aftermath of the [Peloponnesian War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Peloponnesian_War/) (431–404 BCE), a conflict that ended with [Sparta](https://www.worldhistory.org/sparta/)’s victory but left the [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/)-states militarily exhausted and politically fragmented. The collapse of Athenian naval supremacy weakened the traditional balance of power, eroded collective security, and intensified interstate rivalry. In the decades that followed, alliances realigned frequently, as the Greek [poleis](https://www.worldhistory.org/Polis/) struggled to recover economically and reassert influence in a region marked by instability and competition. Over the next century, successive hegemonies rose and fell with striking rapidity. Sparta’s dominance (404–371 BCE), maintained through the [Peloponnesian League](https://www.worldhistory.org/Peloponnesian_League/) and interventions across the [Aegean](https://www.worldhistory.org/aegean/), provoked resistance and ultimately collapsed after [Thebes](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Thebes/)’ decisive victory at Leuctra (371 BCE), which ushered in a short-lived Theban hegemony (371–362 BCE) under [Epaminondas](https://www.worldhistory.org/Epaminondas/) (d. 362 BCE). Amid this fragmentation, [Macedon](https://www.worldhistory.org/macedon/) emerged as the decisive beneficiary: under [Philip II](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Philip_II/) (reign 359–336 BCE), the kingdom was centralized, militarily reformed, and expanded through diplomacy and [conquest](https://www.worldhistory.org/warfare/). By his [death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/), Philip had united most of [Greece](https://www.worldhistory.org/greece/), enabling the unprecedented campaigns of his son, [Alexander the Great](https://www.worldhistory.org/Alexander_the_Great/) (reign 336–323 BCE), whose conquests extended [Hellenic](https://www.worldhistory.org/greece/) influence from the [Mediterranean](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/mediterranean/) to the Indus and transformed the wider ancient world. #### Editorial Review This human-authored image 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/). ## About the Author Simeon is a freelance visual designer and history educator, passionate about the human stories that shape the past. - [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/simeon-netchev/) ## Cite This Work ### APA Netchev, S. (2023, December 06). Map of the Hellenic Leagues and Hegemonies, 4th century BCE. *World History Encyclopedia*. ### Chicago Netchev, Simeon. "Map of the Hellenic Leagues and Hegemonies, 4th century BCE." *World History Encyclopedia*, December 06, 2023. . ### MLA Netchev, Simeon. "Map of the Hellenic Leagues and Hegemonies, 4th century BCE." *World History Encyclopedia*, 06 Dec 2023, . ## License & Copyright Submitted by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/ "User Page: Simeon Netchev"), published on 06 December 2023. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0deed.en). This licence only allows others to download this content and share it with others as long as the author is credited, but they can't change the content in any way or use it commercially. 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.