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Phormio




At the beginning of the Peloponnesian War he was assigned to lead the Athenian troops against Potidaea . He blockaded the town and pillaged the surrounding land. Later in 432 BC he shared command of the Athenian fleet with Thucydides and Hagnon against Samos .

In 431 BC he led 1600 Athenians against Chalcidice , along with Perdiccas of Macedon . In 430 BC he led the Athenian fleet sent to help Ambracia and Acarnania at the Battle Of Potidaea . He stationed the fleet of twenty ships at Naupactus to blockade Corinth . Phormio defeated the Corinthian fleet at the Battle Of Naupactus in 429 BC , trapping them in the narrow strait and capturing twelve of their ships. A larger Corinthian and Sparta n fleet attempted to attack him again a few days later, and although he lost many of his own ships he forced them to withdraw for a second time.

After these victories he landed 400 Athenians in Acarnania, engaged in some fighting with the inhabitants, and then returned to Athens in 428 BC .

His son, also named Asopius, also commanded naval expeditions during the war. Phormio is not mentioned after 428.

Another Phormio was a freed slave who was the subject of a speech by Demosthenes .

''Phormio'' is also a comedy by the Roman playwright Terence .


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