The True Peloponnesian War

The True Peloponnesian War

       The signing of the Thirty Years' Peace Treaty was optimistic, to say the least. While hostilities between Sparta and Athens had subsided, the city-state of Corinth continued to take action against the Athenian empire in spiteful ways due in part by Athens taking Megara's side just prior to the First Peloponnesian War. In 435 BC, Epidamno attacked Corcyra, both city-states belonging to Corinth in the Peloponnesian League. Seeking to handle the situation, Corinth backed Epidamnno which forced Corcyra to speak of turning to Athens. As Corcyra had a navy that rivaled both Corinth and Athens, Sparta attempted to mend the situation and forced Corinth to compromise with Corcyra to avoid war for the time. Despite this, Corcyra sought out Athens. The result was a defensive agreement in which in the event of an attack from foreign powers would see to Athenian aid. Corinth and Megara responded to this by attacking Athenian territories which triggered Athens to establish a trade embargo against the attacking city-states which brought these city-states' economies to its knees. Seeing no way to avoid war any longer, 431 BC saw the Peloponnesian League declare an all-out war against the Delian League for a war that would last nearly 30-years.

(All out Peloponnesian War)