Sparta aids Mytilene (CYOAH!3)

An Athenian fleet arrives in Lesbos and lays siege to Mytilene, defeating an initial counterattack by the Mytilenean fleet. An armistice is agreed to in an attempt to buy time for assistance to arrive from Sparta.

The Spartan fleet would arrive in early 427, while at the same time a land invasion of Attica commenced to distract the Athenians. When the Spartan fleet eventually arrived, they joined the citizens of Lesbos in pushing back the Athenians. An initial victory has been won, and Mytilene and the other cities of Lesbos join the alliance against Athens in exchange for the Spartan assistance.

The victory would not be without its costs, however, as Sparta would suffer heavy casualties in the Mytilenean Revolt, and would ultimately struggle to retain Lesbos under the strain of constant Athenian attacks.

Similarly, with Spartan forces preoccupied, the Athenians would manage to plunder the island of Melos, decisively defeat an army from Thebes at the Battle of Tanagra, and renew naval raids against Spartan territory with renewed vigor. In particular the stronghold near Pylos would now be heavily fortified and turned into a base for raids and Spartan deserters. Also, in the north a separate Athenian army under the command of Demosthenes would land at Naupactus and join the Acarnanians in a siege of the important Spartan ally of Leucas.


 * Seize the Athenian stronghold near Pylos and end the threat in the south.
 * Relieve the Siege of Leucas in the north.