Olpae (426 BC)

During the Second, or Great, Peloponnesian War (431-404 BC) the Athenians recognized their inferiority to Sparta in land warfare, and chose to fight with proxy forces and at sea. Nevertheless, there were many small battles, and the clash at Olpae …

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During the Second, or Great, Peloponnesian War (431-404 BC) the Athenians recognized their inferiority to Sparta in land warfare, and chose to fight with proxy forces and at sea. Nevertheless, there were many small battles, and the clash at Olpae is representative. In 426, the Spartan general Eurylochus was operating in western Greece with a small force of Hoplites. He convinced the Ambraciots to invade Amphilokia, and their forces joined him at Olpae. In response, the Amphilokians called on their allies and the nearby Athenian fleet under Demosthenes. Demosthenes only had a small force, but was chosen to be the strategos, or commander, of the allied army. Eurylochus deployed with his Peloponnesians on the left and Ambraciots on the right. Demosthenes countered with his Messenians on the right, Arcanians in the center and Amphilokians on the left. Seeing that his army was badly outnumbered, Demosthenes extended his left wing with light troops and posted a picked force in hiding to ambush the Spartan right. When the lines clashed, Demosthenes sprung his ambush and routed the Peloponnesians, killing Eurylochus. Meanwhile, the Ambraciots also routed the Athenian left, but Demosthenes was able to keep his victorious wing in good order and attacked these troops, completing his victory. This victory recharged Demosthenes’ career, but gained little for Athens.

Argos, Greece

The Battle of Olpae was a battle of the Peloponnesian War in 426 BC, between armies led by Athens and Sparta.

Wikipedia: Battle of Olpae

Athenian

Spartan

Peloponnesian War