The Social War (357 – 355 BCE)

The Social War, a.k.a. the War of the Allies (357 – 355 BCE) between Athens and the allied city-states of Chios, Rhodes, Cos and Byzantion was provoked by Athens' increasingly dominating stance over the Second Athenian League. Chios, Rhodes, Cos and Byzantion overthrew their democratic governments and broke away from the League. Mausolus, the pro-Persian satrap of Caria, supported the rebellion.

Macedonia's Philip II used the war to further his interests in the Aegean region, securing Macedon's economic and political future. He also took the city of Crenides from the Odrysae and renamed it Philippi. 

In 356, Athenian operations on the fringes of the Persian empire saw Artaxerxes III Ochus threaten war if Athens failed to move out of Asia Minor in 356. Since Athens lacked the resources to take on Persia, the Athenians complied, withdrew and recognised the rebels' independence in 355. Although the war severely depleted their finances and their confederacy became a shadow of its former self, the Athenians' powerful navy meant they remained the dominant military force on the Greek mainland..

Sources:

Ian Worthington. By the Spear: Philip II, Alexander the Great, and the Rise and Fall of the Macedonian Empire,

Wikipedia

© Ian Hughes 2017