Capture and Execution of Tegeans
The Tegeans, captured by their opponents, were announced to be taken to Tegea where they were sentenced to death. The Mantineans were charged with violating oaths against the Tegeans. Agesilaus, the commander of the Spartan forces, was instructed to lead an expedition against Mantinea to avenge the breach of oaths.
Initial Skirmishes
The Orchomenians allied with the Mantineans, amidst a backdrop of political divisions within Arcadia. Agesilaus strategically occupied the city of Eutaea but faced resistance from the Mantineans and their allies. The Mantineans, realizing they were under threat, confronted the Orchomenian invaders, resulting in a retreat and the loss of their leaders.
Advancements in Arcadia
Agesilaus advanced into Mantinean territory in an attempt to subdue the opposing forces and offset any political gains they were making. Despite minor successes, including the restoration of lost properties, significant battles ensued where both sides grappled for position without either gaining a decisive advantage.
The Thebans Join the Fray
The Thebans reinforced their ranks, igniting ambitions for further regional control and increasing tensions in the area. The Eleians played a critical role by allying with the Mantineans against the Spartans.
The Battle of Mantinea
The pivotal encounter saw renewed conflict between the opposing forces. Both sides engaged heavily, with the battle dynamically shifting across the plains, leading to casualties and consequential impacts on morale. The outcome was drawn, with both sides claiming victory without any territorial gains.
Diplomatic Maneuvers in Athens
Following the conflict, an assembly in Athens deliberated the implications of the war on their standing among Hellenic states, raising questions about alliances. The debates highlighted deep divisions regarding how to respond to the aggressions faced from both Thebes and Sparta, serving as a vivid reminder of prior grievances.
Conclusion of the Campaign
By year's end, regional dynamics showed significant volatility, with shifts in power among various states heavily influenced by external pressures and militaristic engagements. The political landscape of Arcadia emerged reborn from the ashes of violence, deepening the complexities of Greek city-state allegiances.
