People > Lysander
Lysander
Background
Lysander was a prominent Spartan naval commander and statesman who played a crucial role in the final stages of the Peloponnesian War (431–404 BCE), a protracted conflict between Athens and Sparta. His strategic acumen and political maneuvering were instrumental in securing Spartan victory and reshaping the balance of power in ancient Greece.
Early Life and Background
- Origins and Early Career:
- Lysander was born into a poor but noble family in Sparta. Details about his early life are sparse, but he rose through the ranks due to his capabilities and dedication to Spartan ideals.
- His early career likely involved the traditional Spartan training (agoge) and military service, which prepared him for his later leadership roles.
Role in the Peloponnesian War
Naval Command:
- In 407 BCE, Lysander was appointed as the navarch (admiral) of the Spartan fleet. His appointment marked a turning point in the Peloponnesian War, as he brought a new level of strategic expertise to the Spartan naval efforts.
- Lysander formed an alliance with Cyrus the Younger, a Persian prince, securing financial support that allowed Sparta to build and maintain a powerful navy.
Battle of Notium:
- In 406 BCE, Lysander achieved a significant victory over the Athenian fleet at the Battle of Notium. This success bolstered his reputation and demonstrated the effectiveness of his leadership.
Battle of Arginusae and Aftermath:
- Following Lysander’s success, his successor in the naval command faced defeat at the Battle of Arginusae. Lysander was reinstated in command, albeit under the titular leadership of Aracus, due to the Spartan law against consecutive terms.
Siege of Athens and Battle of Aegospotami:
- Lysander's most decisive victory came in 405 BCE at the Battle of Aegospotami, where he captured the entire Athenian fleet, effectively cutting off Athens from its grain supply and leading to its surrender.
- After this victory, Lysander blockaded Athens, leading to its surrender in 404 BCE. The long Peloponnesian War was brought to an end, and Athens was forced to dismantle its empire, pull down the Long Walls, and submit to Spartan hegemony.
Political Maneuvering and Influence
Establishment of Oligarchies:
- Following the war, Lysander implemented a series of oligarchic governments (the Decarchies) in the former Athenian territories. These were ruled by boards of ten oligarchs loyal to Sparta, often with a Spartan harmost (military governor) to oversee them.
- In Athens, the Thirty Tyrants were installed, a pro-Spartan oligarchy that ruled harshly and was deeply unpopular.
Efforts to Secure Power:
- Lysander’s influence extended beyond military success. He sought to increase his power within Sparta and the broader Greek world by promoting loyal allies and securing strategic positions.
- His ambition led him to attempt to reform the Spartan kingship to allow for non-royal candidates, hoping to secure a new base of power for himself.
Downfall and Death
Decline in Influence:
- Lysander's aggressive policies and attempts to centralize power drew criticism and opposition from other Spartan leaders and factions. His reforms and the harsh rule of his appointed oligarchies led to widespread resentment.
- His influence waned as opposition grew, and the backlash against the Thirty Tyrants in Athens resulted in their overthrow and the restoration of democracy in 403 BCE.
Death at the Battle of Haliartus:
- In 395 BCE, during the Corinthian War, Lysander led an attack on the city of Haliartus in Boeotia. The attack ended in failure, and Lysander was killed in the ensuing battle.
- His death marked the end of his political and military career but left a lasting impact on Spartan and Greek history.
Legacy
Military and Political Impact:
- Lysander's strategies and victories were pivotal in securing Spartan dominance at the end of the Peloponnesian War. His naval successes and political maneuvers reshaped the Greek world and established Spartan hegemony for a brief period.
- However, his harsh policies and the instability of the oligarchies he established contributed to ongoing conflicts and resistance against Spartan rule.
Historical Assessment:
- Lysander is remembered as a brilliant but controversial figure. His ambition and ruthlessness were matched by his strategic genius, making him a central figure in the late stages of the Peloponnesian War.
- His legacy is a complex one, reflecting both the heights of Spartan military success and the challenges of maintaining power in a fractured and contentious Greek world.
Conclusion
Lysander was a key figure in the late Peloponnesian War, whose military leadership and political strategies significantly altered the course of Greek history. His victories, particularly at the Battle of Aegospotami, secured Spartan victory over Athens and established his legacy as one of Sparta's most formidable commanders. However, his ambitious political maneuvers and the harsh regimes he installed also sowed the seeds of future conflicts and resistance, underscoring the challenges of leadership in the volatile world of ancient Greece.
Sources
See the biographies by Plutarch and Nepos; Xen. Hellenica, i. 5-iii. 5; Diod. Sic. xiii. 70 sqq., 104 sqq., xiv. 3, 10, 13, 81; Lysias xii. 60 sqq.; Justin v. 5-7; Polyaenus i. 45, vii. 19; Pausanias iii., ix. 32, 5-10, x. 9, 7-11; C. A. Gehlert, Vita Lysandri (Bautzen, 1874); W. Vischer, Alkibiades und Lysandros (Basel, 1845); O. H. J. Nitzsch, De Lysandro (Bonn, 1847); and the Greek histories in general.
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