Pylos and Sphacteria 425 BC

During the Peloponnesian War the Athenians occupied the promontory of Pylos to counter Sparta's repeated invasions of Attica. Over two days of fighting the small garrison beat off the Spartan army and the returning Athenian fleet won a victory in the nearby waters, stranding a contingent of elite Spartan hoplites on the island of Sphacteria.