Boeotian War

The Boeotian or Theban War broke out in 378 BCE as the result of a revolt in Thebes against Sparta. The war would last six years.

Outbreak of the War
In 378 BCE a revolt in Thebes led to the assassination of the ruling 3 man junta and the expulsion of the Spartan garrison. An expedition against Thebes was mounted led by Kleombrotus achieved little but left a garrison in Thespiae under Sphodrias. That winter Sphodrias attempted a raid on Piraeus which ended in fiasco. Sphodrias had not acted under orders and was brought to trial. However, he was acquitted which led Athens to declare for Thebes

The War
Two expeditions against Thebes led by King Agesilaus achieved little. Mark Munn argues that it is likely that the Dema wall was built at this time to defend Attica. An expedition in 376 BCE led by King Cleombrotus was blocked at the passes of Kithairon. Sparta then sent a fleet in and attempted to blockade Athens. The result was the defeat of the Spartan fleet at the Battle of Naxos at the hands of a predominately Athenian fleet commanded by Chabrias in 376 BCE. In 375 BCE Athens mounted 2 successful expeditions - one to the north Aegean under Chabrias and a second round the Peloponnese to  North West Greece under Timotheos son of Konon who won the battle of Alyzeia in Akania. In 375 BCE there was a renewal of the Kings peace but this lasted no longer than a few months. The capture of Platea put the Theban-Athenian under strain. The Plateans were expelled by the Thebans and found asylum in Athens where they were a strong voice against Thebes. Though the alliance held, Athens insisted on negotiations with Sparta. A peace treaty was agreed but things went seriously awry at the signing - Epaminondas insisted that he should sign for the Boeotians as a whole rather than just Thebes, at which the Spartan king Agesilaus struck the name of Thebes off the list of signatories.

After the Peace
Most of Greece implemented the treaty which meant that Thebes faced the Spartan expedition against her alone. However the resulting battle at Leuktra would be a decisive Spartan defeat.