Iphicrates used his peltasts skillfully in the Corinthian War (395387), nearly annihilating a battalion of Spartan hoplites near Corinth in 390. After the war he served the Persians as a mercenary commander, then returned to Athens. His expedition (373) to relieve Corcyra of a Spartan siege was successful, but he failed in attempts to recover Amphipolis (367364).
Retiring to Thrace, Iphicrates fought for the Thracian king Cotys against Athens. The Athenians soon pardoned him and made him a commander in their struggle against their rebelling allies (Social War, 357355). Iphicrates and two of his colleagues were prosecuted by Chares, the fourth commander, after they had refused to give battle during a violent storm. Iphicrates was probably acquitted but he died soon afterward. (Encyclopędia Britannica Online.)
A famous Athenian general, son of a shoemaker. He introduced into the Athenian army the peltastae or targeteers, a body of troops possessing, to a certain extent, the advantages of heavy and light armed forces. This he effected by substituting a small target for the heavy shield, adopting a longer sword and spear, and replacing the old coat of mail by a linen corselet.
At the head of his targeteers he defeated and nearly destroyed a Spartan mora, in B.C. 392, an exploit which became very celebrated throughout Greece. He also defeated Anaxibius at the Hellespont (388), aided the Persians in subduing Egypt (377), reduced Cephallonia (373), and commanded in the Social War.
He married the daughter of Cotys, king of Thrace, and died shortly before 348. (Harpers Dictionary of Classical Antiquities, 1898)
Athenian general known chiefly for his use of lightly armed troops (peltasts); he increased the length of their weapons and improved their mobility by reducing defensive armour.