King's peace

Definition

The king's peace refers to a significant peace treaty established by the Persian king Artaxerxes II in 387 BCE, aimed at ending the conflicts between various Greek city-states following the Peloponnesian War. This treaty, also known as the Peace of Antalcidas, sought to reinforce Spartan hegemony and provide a framework for stability in the region, favoring the interests of Persia while limiting the autonomy of other city-states.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The king's peace was pivotal in consolidating Spartan control over Greece after the chaos of the Corinthian War.
2. It limited the independence of many Greek city-states by acknowledging Sparta's authority and aligning them with Persian interests.
3. Artaxerxes II played a crucial role in facilitating this peace, using it as a strategy to maintain Persian influence over Greek affairs.
4. The treaty marked a shift in power dynamics within Greece, diminishing the collective strength of city-states opposed to Spartan dominance.
5. After the king's peace was established, it led to a temporary period of relative calm but ultimately failed to secure lasting stability in Greek politics.

Review Questions

• How did the king's peace impact the power dynamics among Greek city-states following the Corinthian War?
  • The king's peace significantly altered the power dynamics among Greek city-states by consolidating Spartan hegemony while limiting the autonomy of others. By recognizing Spartan authority and aligning many states with Persian interests, it created a scenario where Sparta became the dominant power. The treaty effectively diminished the collective strength of coalitions that opposed Spartan rule, leading to greater instability and competition among smaller states that resisted subjugation.
• Analyze how the terms of the king's peace reflected Persian political strategies in maintaining control over Greek city-states.
  • The terms of the king's peace exemplified Persian political strategies by leveraging conflict among Greek city-states to maintain influence. By imposing conditions that favored Sparta, Persia ensured that it could manipulate regional power structures to its advantage while weakening any potential unity among Greeks. This strategy not only reinforced Spartan dominance but also maintained Persian oversight over critical coastal cities, preserving their economic interests in the region.
• Evaluate the long-term implications of the king's peace on Spartan hegemony and its eventual decline.
  • The long-term implications of the king's peace were profound for Spartan hegemony and its eventual decline. While initially solidifying Sparta's control over Greece, it sowed seeds of resentment among other city-states and undermined genuine alliances. The treaty's focus on Persian interests rather than fostering genuine stability eventually led to discontent and rebellion against Spartan rule. This discord contributed to Sparta's weakening position in subsequent conflicts, setting the stage for its decline as rival powers like Thebes emerged to challenge its supremacy.

Related terms

Peace of Antalcidas: A treaty brokered by Antalcidas, a Spartan envoy, which formalized the king's peace and recognized Persian control over certain Greek cities.

Spartan Hegemony: The period during which Sparta dominated Greek politics and military affairs following their victory in the Peloponnesian War.

Corinthian War: A conflict from 395 to 387 BCE involving Sparta against a coalition of Thebes, Athens, Corinth, and Argos, resulting in increased instability leading up to the king's peace.