The Battle of Pirgella was fought in Argolis between the invading Spartan army of Kallias and the defending Athenian army of Hiketaon in 429 BC during the Peloponnesian War. The Spartans, aided by the mercenary Kassandra, defeated the Athenians and liberated Argos from Athenian tyranny.
Background[]
In 429 BC, the Athenians appointed the tyrant Eugammon the Miscreant to rule over the pro-Spartan region of Argolis, hoping to cement the Delian League's control over the major city of Argos. However, the mercenary Kassandra assassinated Eugammon at the Leader House and killed several Athenian soldiers, weakening Athens' hold on Argolis. Seeing that the Athenians were now on the verge of defeat in Argos, the Spartan general Kallias led an army from Corinthia to invade Argolis, encamping to the east of the city on a plain near Pirgella. Kassandra offered her services to Sparta, while the Athenian general Hiketaon hired the mercenary Eionios the Metal-Skinned to defend the city.
Battle[]
In the ensuing battle, Kassandra killed several Athenian captains to demoralize the Athenian soldiers, who began to buckle from the pressure of having to fight superior Spartan soldiers. Eionios, seeking to turn the tide, challenged Kassandra to fight him, only for Kassandra to slay him and cause panic among the Athenians. The Spartans then pushed their advantage until the Athenians routed, and the Spartans proceeded to occupy Argolis and install an oligrach as leader.