The so-called Social War has gone badly…

The so-called Social War has gone badly for Athens; it is disputed how far the inefficiency of the Athenian navy is responsible for the defeat.

Contemporary orators complain to the effect that the trierarchic system is not working properly, but there is no absolute shortage of ships, and some features denounced by orators, such as the hiring out of trierarchic obligations to third parties, actually tend to promote professionalism, because such hired trierarchs build up expertise.

In any case, Artaxerxes, aggravated by Athenian military actions in Ionia, sends an ultimatum to the Athenians, threatening to intervene on the rebel side, thereby forcing Athens to conclude a disadvantageous peace and to acknowledge the independence of its rebellious allies, as well as to surrender harbors in the north in exchange for continued trade in the Aegean.

The miserable end to the Social War reveals the relative impotence of the Athenians, hitherto one of Phocis' hitherto most impressive-looking allies.