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The unsuccessful siege of Miletus in 412 was a major Athenian setback
early in the Ionian phase of the Great
Peloponnesian
War, and helped establish a revolt against Athenian power in the area. In
the aftermath of the major Athenian disaster at Syracuse, the Spartans decided
to try and encourage revolts across the Athenian maritime empire. They also
entered into negotiations with the nearest Persian satraps, and in particular
with Tissaphernes, who controlled the western part of Asia Minor. This had once
included the Greek cities of the Ionian coast, but they had been freed by an
Athenian led alliance after the Persian Wars, and most of the cities became
part of the Athenian Empire. The situation was further complicated by the
presence of Alcibiades, an Athenian leader who had been exiled early in the
campaign on Sicily, and who after a period in Sparta had moved east into
Persian territory, where he was now on good terms with Tissaphernes. The first
major revolt broke out on Chios. Both sides now prepared to send major fleets
to the area, while smaller forces were rushed out. The Spartans managed to get
a small fleet under Chalcideus into the area, while the Athenians sent
squadrons under Strombichides and Thrasicles. Alcibiades had good contacts in
Miletus, and he wanted to convince them to join the revolt before the major
Peloponnesian fleet could arrive and its commanders take the credit. He and
Chalcideus raised a fleet of twenty ships, and pursued by nineteen ships under
the Athenian commanders, reached Miletus just ahead of them. As Alcibiades had
expected the city quickly agreed to revolt, and the Athenians were forced to
retreat to the nearby island of Lade, from where they blockaded the city. Soon
after the start of the revolt in Miletus, the first formal alliance between the
Persians and Sparta was agreed. Tissaphernes then spent some time campaigning
along the coast, but he returned in time to take part in the larger battle to
take place outside the city. For the moment the Athenians had the upper hand,
although the siege was more of a blockade. During the summer they landed at
Panormus, south of the city, and in a minor battle killed the Spartan commander
Chalcideus. Late in the summer the two main fleets drew close. The Athenians
arrived first, and landed close to Miletus with 3,500 men. A mixed army from
Miletus, Persian and the Peloponnese came out to face them, with both
Alcibiades and Tissphernes fighting with it. The resulting battle of Miletus
was an Athenian victory, but on the evening after the battle news reached them
that a larger Peloponnesian fleet had arrived in the area. Most of the army
wanted to fight, but Phrynichus, one of the three generals, refused to risk
losing Athens's last major army, and refused to flight. The Athenian fleet
retreated to Samos, and the Peloponnesians were able to sail into Miletus,
lifting the siege. After this the city became the main Peloponnesian base in
Ionia.
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