(395 BC-86 BC), armed conflict between Corinth, Argos, Thebes, and Athens on one side and Sparta on the other. Angered by Sparta's tyrannical overlordship in Greece after the Peloponnesian War, several Greek states took advantage of Sparta's involvement in war with Persia to challenge Spartan supremacy. With Persian aid, Athens was able to build a fleet, refortify its port, and eventually recover the islands of Lemnos (now Límnos), Scyros (now Skíros), and Imbros (now Gökçeada). Unable to fight a war on two fronts, Sparta withdrew its forces from Asia Minor. Meanwhile, Antalcidas, the Spartan agent in Persia, attempted to bring about peace with Persia and halt Persian support to the rebellious Greek states. He persuaded Artaxerxes II to agree to the so-called King's Peace, or Peace of Antalcidas, but the terms were those of the Persian king. Cyprus and the Greek city-states in Asia Minor were returned to Persia; the Athenians were forced to give up their conquests except Lemnos, Imbros, and Scyros; and the Greek city-states (except those in Asia Minor) were to be independent, thus eliminating combinations such as the Theban-dominated Boeotian League, which had fought against Sparta. Sparta interpreted the terms of peace to justify interference in the Greek states, which eventually revolted against its domination, thus bringing about the Spartan defeat by Thebes at Leuctra in 371 BC
(357-355) Angered by Athens' increasingly domineering attitude toward its league, Chios, Rhodes, and Cos overthrew their democratic governments and together with Byzantium revolted against Athens, beginning the Social War ("War of the Allies," 357&endash;353). In midsummer the Athenian fleet was decisively defeated and Chabrias, its commander, killed. The Athenians, under Chares , withdrew to the Hellespont and began operations against Byzantium.
357
(Philip of Macedon captured Amphipolis but, instead of turning it over to Athens, granted it independence. Over the winter, he also conquered and kept Pydna. Making a treaty with Olynthus against Athens, Philip also took the city of Crenides from the Odrysae and renamed it Philippi .)
356
The revolting allies ravaged Lemnos and Imbros, which had remained loyal to Athens, and then laid siege to Samos, which was defended by cleruchs. The Athenian fleet under Chares was decisively defeated in the Battle of Embata . Persia ordered Athens to leave Asia Minor, threatening war.
355
Caving in to Persian pressure, Athens withdrew from Asia Minor and recognized the independence of its allies there. The war party of Chares and Aristophon was replaced at Athens by a peace party under Eubulus . All financial surpluses were put in the theoric fund to be used for the public's entertainment. .