Around 426 or 425 BCE, an army from the
Peloponnesian League set out to conquer Amphilochian Argos, a city
founded on the southeast end of the Ambracian Gulf, and not to be
confused with the more widely known Argos in the Peloponnesus. This
army, according to Thucydides (c. 460-400 BCE), had around 3,000 heavy
infantry hoplites and was commanded by a Spartan general named
Eurylochus. In addition to this, a further 3,000 hoplites invaded
Amphilochian Argos from pro-Peloponnesian Ambracia, located just north
of the Ambracian Gulf. This Ambraciot army was the faster of the two
invading forces, so they seized the stronghold of Olpae without
Peloponnesian help, and in doing so, gained a strong position just a few
miles from Amphilochian Argos.
Eurylochus and the Peloponnesian army
apparently did not launch their invasion until after the Ambraciots had
already seized Olpae. As a result, the Amphilochians had time to muster
their manpower and call for Athenian help. As the Ambraciots waited for
Eurylochus’ army, the Amphilochians reinforced their city of Argos and
placed scouts at a region called Crenae, in order to watch for the
Peloponnesian army. They also successfully contacted, Demosthenes, one
of Athens’ craftiest generals—he answered their plea and arrived with
twenty ships. His fleet was only carrying a reported 200 hoplites and 60
archers, but Demosthenes’ knack for odd strategies would make up for
the lack of numbers. In addition, the Amphilochians also received
military aid from Acarnania, a neighboring region that survived a
Peloponnesian invasion between 429 and 428 BCE. Demosthenes was
appointed as commander-in-chief of this coalition of forces and he
marched their united front to challenge the Ambraciots at Olpae.
Read about the dramatic battles near Olpae, HERE.
No comments :
Post a Comment