Athens was forced to dismantle her walls, lost her empire, was only allowed a tiny fleet and the democracy was dismantled. For a brief time, Sparta became the dominant Greek naval power, although most of her ships came from allies.
King Agesilaus and Lysander (the admiral who had been responsible for Athens' defeat) started Sparta's reign as hegemon with lots of support from the other Greek city-states.
However, Sparta claimed all of the plunder from the Peloponnesian War and it had totally disregarded the wishes and interests of her allies. Sparta had pursued a policy of aggressive expansion in the Peloponnese, central and northern Greece and the Aegean which had at times seemed directed specifically against them.
In 394 BC coalition of four allied states coalition of four allied states. assemble near Corinth. They sought to destroy the ascendancy of Sparta after its victory in the Peloponnesian War. The Corinthian War, an ancient Greek conflict was lasting from 395 BC until 387 BC, pitting Sparta against a coalition of four allied states; Thebes, Athens, Corinth, and Argos; which were initially backed by Persia. The name called Corinthian War (395–386) because much of it took place on Corinthian territory.
The war was fought on two fronts, on land near Corinth and Thebes and at sea in the Aegean. Sparta had two land victories over Athenian allied states and a severe naval defeat at Cnidus by a combined Athenian and Persian fleet.
Virtually Spartan’s entire fleet was destroyed at the Battle of Cnidus, leaving Athens and Persia in control of the seas. This brought about an effective stalemate, although skirmishes, intrigue, plotting, and counter-plotting preceded apace.
Sparta eventually won the war, but only after the Persians had switched support from Athens to Sparta.
With its powerful ally as guarantor, Sparta was able to dictate the terms of the so‐called King's Peace in 386 BC. This treaty declared that Persia would control all of Ionia, and proclaimed that all other Greek cities would be "autonomous", in effect prohibiting Greek cities from forming leagues, alliances or coalitions. Sparta was to be the guardian of the peace.
Corinthian War: Spartan vs Coalition of four allied states (395–387 BC)
