Battle of Tanagra (457 BC)

Prior to the breakout of this battle, in the Persian Wars, the Spartan-led Peloponnesian League won a hegemony.

In 478 BC, wanting to deny any future Persian invasion a base from which to operate, Sparta had urged Athens, along with other Greek cities, to refrain from rebuilding their walls.

[7]In 464 BC, suffering another Helot rebellion and failing to make progress in the siege against their stronghold Ithome, Sparta had asked for Athens' aid along with its other allies.

[10] In 458 BC, Athens began building the Long Walls, a defensive structure that secured the communication lines between the city and Piraeus.

[3] Like other walls that were built, it allowed the Athenians to refuse battle and retreat without fear of being cut from supplies coming from the sea.

[18][19] Years after the Battle of Tanagra, Cimon was recalled from exile due to the special relations they had between Sparta and Athens.

With these special relations, Cimon helped create a five year peace treaty between Athens and Sparta.