The Foreign War ( grc-gre, Ξενικὸς Πόλεμος, ''Xenikos Polemos'') was fought between the forces of

Knossos Knossos (also Cnossos, both pronounced ; grc, Κνωσός, Knōsós, ; Linear B: ''Ko-no-so'') is the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete and has been called Europe's oldest city. Settled as early as the Neolithic period, the na ...

with the help of mercenaries under the ousted

Phocian Phocis was an ancient region in the central part of Ancient Greece, which included Delphi. A modern administrative unit, also called Phocis, is named after the ancient region, although the modern region is substantially larger than the ancient ...

leader

Phalaikos Phalaikos ( grc, Φάλαικος) was the ruler of Phocis in Greece during the Third Sacred War before he was ousted. After he was ousted he became the leader of a group of mercenaries, whose services were sought by Knossos in Crete. Once in Crete. ...

and the forces of Lyttos who received help from the

Sparta Sparta ( Doric Greek: Σπάρτα, ''Spártā''; Attic Greek: Σπάρτη, ''Spártē'') was a prominent city-state in Laconia, in ancient Greece. In antiquity, the city-state was known as Lacedaemon (, ), while the name Sparta referre ...

ns (who were founders of their city) under their King Archidamus III. The war took place in 346 BC. Knossos wanted to strengthen their hegemony of

Crete Crete ( el, Κρήτη, translit=, Modern: , Ancient: ) is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the 88th largest island in the world and the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, after Sicily, Sardinia, Cyprus, ...

, but received opposition from the Lyttians. In response Knossos employed foreign mercenaries under the former Phocian leader Phalaikos. In 346, Knossos declared war against Lyttos. Phalaikos, who was given command of the forces of Knossos and of the mercenaries, was about to seize Lyttos when the Lyttians asked the Spartans for help. The Spartans, under King Archidamus, rushed to help the Lyttians. The Spartans came in time to save Lyttos and defeat Phalaikos. Phalaikos then turned against

Kydonia Kydonia or Cydonia (; grc, Κυδωνία; lat, Cydonia) was an ancient city-state on the northwest coast of the island of Crete. It is at the site of the modern-day Greek city of Chania. In legend Cydonia was founded by King Cydon (), a son ...

. This decision proved fatal for Phalaikos who was slain in the siege and his army was destroyed. This war proved to be a turning point in Cretan history since it was the first time foreign forces had come to Crete and interfered in Cretan affairs.

Sources

* Theocharis Detorakis, (1994). ''A History of Crete. Heraklion: Heraklion''. 340s BC conflicts Wars involving Sparta Wars involving ancient Greece Dorian Crete Knossos {{AncientGreece-battle-stub