21.1 Disaster at Aegospotami

After their decisive victory at Arginusae in 406 BC, the Athenians were in control of the Aegean rim of Asian Minor. The Spartan fleet spent a miserable winter without pay or adequate provisions. The Spartan government now made overtures of peace to Athens, which would preserve the status quo. In response, Cleophon swaggered into the Athenian Assembly drunk and wearing a breastplate and vowed never to make peace with the Spartans until they gave up their claims to the cities they controlled. The Athenians, now riding a wave of euphoria, rejected the Spartan peace offer, which in retrospect would have saved them and their empire. But the trial of the generals had sent a chill through the high command. The best Athenian generals had been put to death or were in voluntary exile. After winning a brilliant victory. Theramenes and Thrasybulus were out of favor in the backlash after the trial.

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