Thomas R. Martin, An Overview of Classical Greek History from Mycenae to Alexander

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The unexpected tactics of Brasidas

The lack of wisdom in the Athenian decision to refuse the Spartan offer of peace after the battle of Pylos in 425 B.C¹ became clear with the next unexpected development of the war: a sudden reversal in the Spartan policy against waging military expeditions far from home. In 424 the Spartan general Brasidas led an army on a daring campaign against Athenian strongholds in far northern Greece² hundreds of miles from Sparta. His most important victory came with the conquest of Amphipolis,³ an important Athenian colony near the coast that the Athenians regarded as essential to their strategic position. Brasidas' success there robbed Athens of access to gold and silver mines and a major source of timber for building warships. Even though he was not directly involved in the battle at Amphipolis, Thucydides lost his command and was forced into exile because he was the commander in charge of the region⁴ when the city was lost and was held responsible for the catastrophe.