Ancient Coin Stories

The hill fort of Tiryns reaches its height of importance.

The palace at Tiryns is destroyed, but the city continues to grow.

Argos defeats Sparta at the Battle of Hysiae.

Sparta crushes Argos at the Battle of Sepeia.

Argos does not participate in the Greek alliance against the Persian invasion, resulting in diplomatic isolation.

The Greek allies are forced to withdraw against the Persians in the Battle of Artemisium. Afterwards the Persians occup Histaia. The Greek fleet is supplied by Athens, Chalkis, Sparta, Troizen, Opuntian Lokris, Corinth, Megara, Epidauros, Aegina, Sikyon, and Kios.

The Greek alliance, consisting of Aegina, Athens, Corinth, Megara, Thespiai, Orchomenos, Epidauros, Troizen, Halieis, Elis, Hermione, and Sparta defeate the Persians at the Battle of Plataea.

Argos obtains possession of Hermione.

Argos joins an alliance with Athens and Thessaly.

Sparta defeats Athens, with 1000 hoplites from Argos, in the Battle of Tanagra. Casualties are heavy on both sides.

The alliance of Athens, Argos, and Thessaly dissolves.

Athens lands at Epidauros and ravages its territory, then proceeds to Troizen, Hermione, and Halieis, where they do the same.

Sparta and their allies Tegea defeat Athens and their allies Argos, Mantineia, Kleonai, and Aegina in the Battle of Mantineia. As part of the truce, Argos gives up its alliance with Athens and Elis, Orchomenos is given to Sparta, and Athens is evicted from Epidauros.

As a result of their loss at the Battle of Mantineia and an invasion by Epidauros, Argos undergoes an oligarchic coup.

The Sicilian expedition of Athens against Syracuse departs. Ainos, Argos, Mantineia, and Elis provide support. Akragas remains neutral.

Sparta and their allies defeat Athens and their allies at the Battle of Nemea. On Athens side are Thebes, Lokris Opuntii, and Corinth. With Sparta are Halieis, Sikyon, Epidauros, Troizen, and Hermione. Phlious remains neutral.

The Tholos, a circular building in the sanctuary of Asklepios in Epidauros, is built under the architect Polykleitos the Younger.

Epaminondas and Boeotia defeat Sparta at the Battle of Mantinea. However, the death of Epaminondas would spell Thebes‘ downfall. On the side of Thebes were Tegea, Argos, Messene, Sikyon, and the Aenianians. On the side of Sparta were Heraia, Athens, Elis, and Mantinea.

The Theatre of Epidauros, also designed by Polykleitos the Younger, is constructed.

Alexander III and Philip II defeat Thebes at the Battle of Chaeronea. Argos fights on the side of Philip, while Corinth, Megara, Epidauros, and Troizen participate with Thebes.

A food crisis erupts in the Greek world that was likely caused by Alexander the Great’s campaigns in the East, which disrupted traditional trade routes. Kyrene sends grain to many cities including Athens, Sparta, Rhodes, Thebes, Argos, and Atrax.

The Lamian War breaks out, pitting Athens, Thebes, Megara, Argos, and the Aetolian League against Antipater of Macedon.

Pyrrhos of Epiros attacks Argos, which is helped by Antigonos II, and is killed there when an old woman throws a brick on him.

Antigonos II installs the tryant Aristippos the Elder at Argos.

Epidauros suffers in the wake of the Kleomenean War, but the sanctuary and city are quickly restored.

Hermione ruled by tyrant named Xenon.

Aratos of Sikyon takes the Acrocorinth and frees Argos. Xenon steps down in Hermione.

The Spartans under King Kleomenes III defeat the Achaian League under Aratos of Sikyon (and including Argos and Megalopolis) in the Battle of Dyme.

The Social War begins, pitting members of the Achaian League, including Aegira, Patrai, Dyme, Bura, Sikyon, Corinth, Megalopolis, Messenia, Argos, Elis, and Macedon, against Sparta under King Kleomenes III, who were supported by the Aetolian League and Athens.

The Sanctuary to Asklepios at Epidauros is looted by Sulla.

Julius Caesar, during his campaigns in Greece, visits the sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidauros.

The sanctuary to Asklepios in Epidauros‘ infrastructure is upgraded with new Roman baths and improved facilities for visitors.

Emperor Caligula visits Greece and shows interest in the Greek sanctuaries, including that of Asklepios at Epidauros.

The Emperor Nero travels to Greece and visits Athens, Olympia, Delphi, Epidauros, and Thebes.

Hadrian revives the Sanctuary to Asklepios at Epidauros.