Chremonidean War
Encyclopedia
The Chremonidean War (267 BCE - 261 BCE) was fought by a coalition of Greek city-states against Macedon
ian domination.
The origins of the war lie in the continuing desire of many Greek states, most notably Athens
and Sparta
, for a restoration of their former independence along with the Ptolemaic
desire to stir up discontent within the sphere of influence
of its Macedonian rival. Ptolemy Philadelphus's ambitions in the Aegean
were threatened by Antigonus Gonatas
's fleet, so he carefully built up an anti-Macedonian coalition in Greece. He especially concentrated on courting Athens, by supplying her with grain.
The anti-Macedonian faction in Athens, led by the stoic
Chremonides
, took power and proceeded to declare war on Macedon (possibly as early as the autumn of 268 BCE). The first year of the conflict saw only minor confrontations, though they generally ended favorably for the anti-Macedonian coalition. Although after the indecisive campaign season of 266 BCE, the war began to turn against the Greek city-states, and in 265 BCE Antigonus was able to win a decisive and crushing victory outside Corinth
in which the Spartan King Areus I
fell.
With their primary ally defeated and too militarily weak to confront the Antigonids alone, the Athenians could do little but wait behind their walls and hope the Ptolemies could send aid before the inevitable siege. Unfortunately for them however, Philadelphus would not be ready to mount a major expedition until after Athens had already been starved into surrender in either 262 BCE or 261 BCE. In the end it did not matter since when the Egyptians finally tried to send aid and reinforcements to Athens, their fleet was defeated off Cos
(probably in 261 BCE). This action called the Battle of Cos
also features in the narrative of the second of the Syrian Wars
with a strong alternative date of 258 BCE.
After the fall of Athens, she lost her last pre-Hellenistic vestiges of independence and was garrisoned by Macedonian troops until 229 BCE.
Macedon
Macedonia or Macedon was an ancient kingdom, centered in the northeastern part of the Greek peninsula, bordered by Epirus to the west, Paeonia to the north, the region of Thrace to the east and Thessaly to the south....
ian domination.
The origins of the war lie in the continuing desire of many Greek states, most notably Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
and Sparta
History of Sparta
The History of Sparta describes the destiny of the ancient Dorian Greek state known as Sparta from its beginning in the legendary period to its forced incorporation into the Achaean League under the late Roman Republic, its conquerors, in 146 BCE, a period of roughly 1000 years...
, for a restoration of their former independence along with the Ptolemaic
Ptolemaic dynasty
The Ptolemaic dynasty, was a Macedonian Greek royal family which ruled the Ptolemaic Empire in Egypt during the Hellenistic period. Their rule lasted for 275 years, from 305 BC to 30 BC...
desire to stir up discontent within the sphere of influence
Sphere of influence
In the field of international relations, a sphere of influence is a spatial region or conceptual division over which a state or organization has significant cultural, economic, military or political influence....
of its Macedonian rival. Ptolemy Philadelphus's ambitions in the Aegean
Aegean Sea
The Aegean Sea[p] is an elongated embayment of the Mediterranean Sea located between the southern Balkan and Anatolian peninsulas, i.e., between the mainlands of Greece and Turkey. In the north, it is connected to the Marmara Sea and Black Sea by the Dardanelles and Bosporus...
were threatened by Antigonus Gonatas
Antigonus II Gonatas
Antigonus II Gonatas was a powerful ruler who firmly established the Antigonid dynasty in Macedonia and acquired fame for his victory over the Gauls who had invaded the Balkans.-Birth and family:...
's fleet, so he carefully built up an anti-Macedonian coalition in Greece. He especially concentrated on courting Athens, by supplying her with grain.
The anti-Macedonian faction in Athens, led by the stoic
Stoicism
Stoicism is a school of Hellenistic philosophy founded in Athens by Zeno of Citium in the early . The Stoics taught that destructive emotions resulted from errors in judgment, and that a sage, or person of "moral and intellectual perfection," would not suffer such emotions.Stoics were concerned...
Chremonides
Chremonides
Chremonides , son of Eteokles, of Aithalidai, was an Athenian 3rd century BC statesman and general. He issued the Decree of Chremonides in 268 BC, creating an alliance between Sparta, Athens, and Ptolemy II, the Macedonian King of Egypt...
, took power and proceeded to declare war on Macedon (possibly as early as the autumn of 268 BCE). The first year of the conflict saw only minor confrontations, though they generally ended favorably for the anti-Macedonian coalition. Although after the indecisive campaign season of 266 BCE, the war began to turn against the Greek city-states, and in 265 BCE Antigonus was able to win a decisive and crushing victory outside Corinth
Corinth
Corinth is a city and former municipality in Corinthia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Corinth, of which it is the seat and a municipal unit...
in which the Spartan King Areus I
Areus I
Areus I was Agiad King of Sparta from 309 to 265 BC, who died in battle near Corinth during the Chremonidean War. He was the grandson of Cleomenes II and was succeeded by his son Acrotatus II.-Military Success:...
fell.
With their primary ally defeated and too militarily weak to confront the Antigonids alone, the Athenians could do little but wait behind their walls and hope the Ptolemies could send aid before the inevitable siege. Unfortunately for them however, Philadelphus would not be ready to mount a major expedition until after Athens had already been starved into surrender in either 262 BCE or 261 BCE. In the end it did not matter since when the Egyptians finally tried to send aid and reinforcements to Athens, their fleet was defeated off Cos
Kos
Kos or Cos is a Greek island in the south Sporades group of the Dodecanese, next to the Gulf of Gökova/Cos. It measures by , and is from the coast of Bodrum, Turkey and the ancient region of Caria. Administratively the island forms a separate municipality within the Kos peripheral unit, which is...
(probably in 261 BCE). This action called the Battle of Cos
Battle of Cos
The Battle of Cos was fought ca 258 BC between an Antigonid fleet and a Ptolemaic fleet. Antigonus II Gonatas led his forces to victory over Patroclus, admiral of Ptolemy II. It has been widely assumed that the battle severely damaged Ptolemaic control of the Aegean...
also features in the narrative of the second of the Syrian Wars
Syrian Wars
The Syrian Wars were a series of six wars between the Successor states of the Seleucid Empire and the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt during the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC over the region then called Coele-Syria, one of the few avenues into Egypt...
with a strong alternative date of 258 BCE.
After the fall of Athens, she lost her last pre-Hellenistic vestiges of independence and was garrisoned by Macedonian troops until 229 BCE.