Battle of Amphipolis: Encyclopedia II - Battle of Amphipolis - Battle of Amphipolis 422 BC

Battle of Amphipolis - Battle of Amphipolis 422 BC

When the armistice ended in 422, Cleon arrived in Thrace with a force of 30 ships, 1200 hoplites, and 300 cavalry, along with many other troops from Athens' allies. He recaptured Torone and Scione; at Scione, the Spartan commander Pasitelidas was killed. He then took up position at Eion, while Brasidas took his position at Cerdylium. Brasidas about 2000 hoplites and 300 cavalry, plus some other troops in Amphipolis, but he did not feel that he could defeat Cleon in a pitched battle. Brasidas then moved his forces back into Amphipolis, and Cleon moved towards the city in preparation for battle. When Brasidas did not come out, Cleon assumed there would be no attack, and he began to move his troops back to Eion.

At this point, Brasidas moved out from Amphipolis and charged the disorganized Athenian troops. In the rout that followed, Brasidas was mortally injured, although the Athenians did not realize it. Cleon was also killed when he was attacked by the Spartan commander Clearidas. The entire Athenian army fled back to Eion, although about 600 of them were killed before they reached the port. Only seven other Spartans were killed.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Battle of Amphipolis 422 BC", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki