The Athenian Victory over the Boeotians and the Chalcidians (506 B.C.) in the Light of the Epigraphical Findings

Sparta’s attack on the newly-established Athenian democracy marks a turning point in the history of Athens. Usually dated to 506 B.C., it was organised by King Cleomenes I, leading the Peloponnesian League in accordance with the Boeotians and the Chalcidians to “surround” Athens. All this ended in an unexpected Peloponnesian - and consequently Spartan - retreat, while the Boeotians and the Chalcidians were heavily defeated one after another, thus gaining first-hand experience of Athens’ new military potential, which was dramatically increased by democracy. The historical events are quite well known through literary, epigraphical and, perhaps, numismatic sources. The purpose of this article is to discuss whether and how the epigraphical findings (old, new and “potential” - from Athens, Thebes and Chalcis respectively) could shed light on the Athenian victory over the Boeotians and the Chalcidians.