King's Peace: What Happened
In 387 or 386 BC, the Persian king Artaxerxes II imposed a peace settlement on the warring Greek cities, ending the Corinthian War. It is known as the King's Peace, or the Peace of Antalcidas, after the Spartan diplomat who negotiated it with Persia. The terms were announced as a royal decree. The Greek cities of Asia Minor, along with Cyprus, would belong to the Persian king, while all other Greek cities, large and small, were to be independent, except for three islands kept by Athens. The king threatened to make war on anyone who refused. The peace was a striking reversal. A century after the Greeks had defeated Persia at Marathon and Salamis, a Persian king was now dictating terms to Greece and taking back the Ionian cities. Sparta, as the enforcer of the treaty, used the autonomy clause to break up alliances and leagues that threatened it, especially the Boeotian League led by Thebes. This strengthened Sparta for a time, but its aggressive enforcement of the peace eventually led to war with Thebes and defeat at Leuctra.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the King's Peace?
The King's Peace was a settlement imposed on the Greek cities by the Persian king Artaxerxes II in 387 or 386 BC, ending the Corinthian War.
Why is it also called the Peace of Antalcidas?
It is named after Antalcidas, the Spartan diplomat who negotiated the terms with Persia and helped bring the warring Greek cities to accept them.
What were the terms of the King's Peace?
The Greek cities of Asia Minor and Cyprus were given to Persia, while all other Greek cities were to be independent, except for three islands kept by Athens.
Why was the King's Peace humiliating for Greece?
A century after defeating Persia at Marathon and Salamis, the Greeks now accepted terms dictated by a Persian king, who also regained the Ionian cities.
How did Sparta use the King's Peace?
Sparta enforced the treaty's autonomy clause to break up alliances that threatened it, especially the Boeotian League led by Thebes. This eventually led to war with Thebes and defeat at Leuctra.
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