The Failure Of Spartan Hegemony

By examining Spartan politics and foreign relations, this paper tries to discuss the factors that lead to the failure of Spartan hegemony from 404B.C. to 371B.C. In this period, Sparta's policy to enhance her power and enlarge her hegemony caused the wars among the Greek city-states continually, and accelerated their decline.The first chapter analyzes the Spartan political system. Within Spartan mutually-balanced constitution, there were actually different political factions and individual struggles, resulting in the instability of the Spartan government. Consequently, Spartan foreign policies were lacking in consistency.The second chapter deals with the character and history of Peloponnesian League. Sparta made herself the leader of her allies and expanded her hegemony to the whole Greek world by using the Peloponnesian League. However, this league was not stable. Sparta did not possess the absolute leadership. The function of Peloponnesian League depended on the relative military advantage of Sparta. As long as Sparta failed to face the military challenge from other city-states, Sparta would lose its hegemony based on the Peloponnesian League.The third chapter discusses the relations between Sparta and Persia. These two big powers conflicted with each other. Sparta tried to gain the Greek city-states in Asia and set fire on the land of Persia. However, Persia used her money to agitate the anti-Sparta states fighting against Sparta in Greece. Although finally a settlement was reached between Sparta and Persia, the Greek city-states all declined.The fourth chapter analyzes the reform of Lysander. He aimed at expanding Spartan hegemony, but failed because of the internal competitions. Sparta also lost a chance of consolidating her hegemony in Greece.The fifth chapter discusses Agesilaos' education and experience. It also tries to analyze his effect on the decline of Spartan hegemony. As a warlike king, Agesilaos attacked other city-states to consolidate Spartan hegemony after 386B.C. His military policies gave rise to the formation of alliance between Thebes and Athens and their consequent challenge. When Sparta came across a failure in Leuctra, her military strength was exhausted in the long term of wars. Consequently, Sparta lost its hegemony.