Campaign of the Chersonese

Campaign of the Chersonese
Part of the Wars of the Diadochi

Spanish map of the Thracian Chersonese and the Hellespont
Date300–299 BC
Location
Result Antigonid victory
Destabilisation of Lysimachus
Belligerents
Demetrius I Poliorcetes Lysimachus
Strength
10,000 in the beginning, probably somewhere between 20,000 and 30,000 at the end Unknown, but probably significant, as he was able to lead at least 20,000 soldiers for the battle of Ipsus

After the disaster of the Battle of Ipsus, Demetrius I Poliorcetes launched a campaign of raids in the Thracian Chersonese in 300-299 BCE. These raids, directed against Lysimachus, were a last-ditch effort by the Antigonid to rebuild his forces and buy time to avoid complete annihilation.

He contested Lampsacus with Lysimachus and captured it at least twice, without occupying it. During this campaign, Demetrius won skirmishes with his troops and managed to establish a complete blockade of the Hellespont. Aided by the emerging dissensions among the victorious Diadochi of Ipsus, he left the Thracian Chersonese for the Middle East in 299-298 BCE, where he reunited with his former enemy, Seleucus I, to whom he gave his daughter Stratonice in marriage. Overall, his very precarious position was strengthened by this campaign, which restored him among the Diadochian powers and allowed him to rebuild his troops and a portion of his prestige.