Mantinea (418 BC)

Ironically, the greatest Hoplite battle of the Peloponnesian War was fought during the Peace of Nicias (421-415). Athens was able to forge an anti-Spartan coalition. King Agis II of Sparta marched out to seek a decisive battle. The Spartan army …

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Ironically, the greatest Hoplite battle of the Peloponnesian War was fought during the Peace of Nicias (421-415). Athens was able to forge an anti-Spartan coalition. King Agis II of Sparta marched out to seek a decisive battle. The Spartan army numbered about 12,000 Hoplites, while the Argive coalition had 11,000. At first, the Argive army avoided combat, but when Agis emerged from a forest, he was surprised to find the Argive army drawn up close by for battle. Agis hastily deployed, placing about 1,000 Spartans on the right, in support of his 3,000 Tegeans. He commanded 5,000 Spartans in the center, surrounded by his personal bodyguard of 300 hippeis. On the left were the 600 skiritae (Spartan rangers) and 2,000 freed helots. The coalition countered with 3,500 Mantineans and allies on their right. In the center were the elite “Argive 1,000” and 5,000 regular Argives. Their left was held by Laches with Athenian cavalry and allies. As the battle began, Agis gave orders to fill the gap in his line, but there was no time and the Argive right wing quickly enveloped and routed the Spartan left. Meanwhile, Agis led a furious assault in the center shattering the Argive phalanx. The Athenian left collapsed. Agis kept his army under control, wheeled, and assaulted the Mantineans to complete his victory. The anti-Spartan alliance was crushed and Sparta would enter the final phase of the Peloponnesian War in a position of strength.

Mantinea, Greece

The First Battle of Mantinea of 418 BC was a significant engagement in the Peloponnesian War. Sparta and its allies defeated an army led by Argos and Athens.

Wikipedia: Battle of Mantinea (418 BC)

Argive

Spartan

Peloponnesian War