The Naval Arms Race: Athens vs Persia in the 4th Century BC

In the decades following the Peloponnesian War, Athens rebuilt its fleet and challenged Persian influence in the Aegean, sparking a naval arms race that reshaped Eastern Mediterranean power dynamics. This episode of The History of Greece examines the Cononian War, the Persian-sponsored reconstruction of Athens's Long Walls, and the innovative ship design of the tetrere and pentere. Lucas and Luna discuss the Battle of Cnidus in 394 BC, where the Persian fleet under Conon and Pharnabazus destroyed Spartan naval supremacy, and the subsequent Athenian resurgence that alarmed both Sparta and Persia. They explore the diplomatic maneuvering of Artaxerxes II, the Corinthian War's naval dimension, and the technological race for larger warships that culminated in the pentere. The episode also touches on the social impact of Athens's maritime empire, including the role of metics and slaves in the fleet, and the strategic importance of the Piraeus. Join Lucas and Luna for a deep dive into a critical but often overlooked period of Greek naval history. #NavalArmsRace #Athens #Persia #Conon #Pharnabazus #Cnidus #Tetrere #Pentere #ArtaxerxesII #CorinthianWar #LongWalls #Piraeus #AegeanSea #AncientNavalWarfare #4thCenturyBC #GreekHistory #FexingoHistory #History Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo