Amphipolis. Detailed history

The Athenian colony established in 437-436 at Amphipolis in Macedonia under Pericles sought to control the region and gain access to Thracian resources, especially timber for their ships and gold and silver. The colony would also allow the Athenians to harbor the grain fleet from the Black Sea. Pericles led a naval expedition to the Black Sea at this time to impose Athenian influence. The city of Amphipolis was strategic in the region.

Athens had attempted to establish a colony in the region earlier in 465 but met with disaster. Now, in 437, Hagnon, son of Nicias (who later died in the Sicilian Expedition), founded the city on the former site. The name Amphipolis means “around the city,” and there are several theories from antiquity about the reason.

Thucydides, who lived during the period, stated that it was due to the Strymon River flowing around the city; the Suda, a late lexicon, has the name stemming from the population living “around the city”; and Julius Pollux, during the Roman Empire, said that it was because the city was located on an isthmus. Given that Thucydides was contemporary and that his family was from the region, his version should be accepted.

Amphipolis grew in importance, and because of its strategic position, it became the natural theater of war between Athens and Sparta. The city was not a cleruchy (a type of Athenian colony where citizens retained Athenian citizenship), but rather an independent ally of Athens. However, it was not a member of the Delian League.

Brasidas and his Spartan army took the city in 424 rather easily. Aware that the historian Thucydides was approaching to retake the region, Brasidas indicated that anyone who wished to leave would be granted safe passage, while anyone wishing to remain and pledge loyalty to him could keep their property, Amphipolis surrendered, which was a serious blow to the Athenians.

Brasidas made overtures to the Thracians who supported him, as well as the Macedonians under Perdiccas II. Thucydides failed to take Amphipolis and could only take Eion, a city that Athens had first captured from the Persians at the start of the Delian League. It lay three miles from Amphipolis at its mouth into the Aegean.

As punishment for his failure to take the city, Thucydides was exiled, not returning to Athens until after the war in 404. This ended his direct involvement, and also historians’ understanding of the war from Athenian contemporary sources. While he downplayed his fault, saying he could not have arrived in time, his actions were at best negligent, and at worst disastrous for the Athenians. His exile resulted in his version of the war being acquired from outside Athens, depriving him of crucial information.

During 423, the two sides maintained an armistice, which Athens used to refortify the region to prevent further disaffection. The armistice was to last one year, and upon its expiration, the Athenians prepared to act.

In 422, another relief force was sent by Athens under the demagogue Cleon, who had boasted in the Assembly that he could take Amphipolis. The Athenians took him up on his claim, and he arrived to fight Brasidas. Arriving with thirty ships, 1,200 hoplites, and 300 cavalry troops as well as allies, Cleon took some nearby positions and planned to attack.

Brasidas had 2,000 hoplites and 300 cavalry and troops from Amphipolis. Brasidas believed he could not win and withdrew to Amphipolis, with Cleon in pursuit. Cleon then realized that he could not besiege the city successfully, so he retreated in a disorganized fashion.

Brasidas now attacked and achieved a complete victory. Brasidas, however, was mortally wounded, and Cleon was killed when attacked by the Spartan general Clearidas. Thucydides reported seven Spartans killed, as opposed to 600 Athenians. Brasidas learned of the victory before his death. Brasidas was praised for his valor and buried at Amphipolis.

Neither Sparta nor Athens wanted to continue the war, since the first ten years of fighting had taken their toll. The next year, 421, the Peace of Nicias was forged, and for the time being, the war ended. Although it would eventually be broken, the Peace provided both sides a chance to recuperate.

After the war, Amphipolis remained independent and was an important city in attempting to stop Macedon, under Philip II, from controlling Thrace. In 357, Philip II conquered Amphipolis, depriving Athens and its allies of a major, wealthy city and a bulwark in the region against Macedon.

Although the city was not immediately part of the Macedonian kingdom, Philip made sure that it was allied to him. Macedonian coinage, weights, and standards replaced the Amphipolis standards, and the city effectively became Macedonian. It was used by Alexander the Great as his jumping-off point for his conquest of Persia.