Peloponnesian League (redirected from Spartan Alliance)

Peloponnesian League: see Sparta.

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Peloponnesian League

 or Spartan Alliance

Military coalition of Greek city-states led by Sparta, formed in the 6th century BC. League decisions about war, peace, or alliance were determined by congresses summoned by the Spartans. The league was a major force in Greek affairs, forming the core of resistance to the Persian invasions in 490 and 480 and fighting Athens in the Peloponnesian War. Its power declined after its defeat at Leuctra in 371, and the league disbanded in 366/365.

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Peloponnesian League 

an alliance of the ancient Greek city-states of the Peloponnesus, with the exception of Argos and part of Achaea.

Established and headed by Sparta, the Peloponnesian League existed from the second half of the sixth century B.C. until the mid-fourth century B.C. It took form gradually as a result of a series of agreements between Sparta and the other city-states. Sparta strove for hegemony in the Hellenic world and hoped that its allies’ would assist in suppressing the uprisings of the Helots; the other city-states sought military support from Sparta.

The Peloponnesian League consistently supported oligarchic factions in the ancient Greek city-states. After Sparta’s victory in the Peloponnesian War (431–404 B.C.), it became a pan-Hellenic organization that installed oligarchic governments everywhere. The Peloponnesian League broke up after Sparta’s defeat in the war against Thebes (362 B.C.). An attempt to restore it in the 330’s failed.

REFERENCE

Martin, V. La Vie internationale dans la Grèce des cités Paris, 1940.