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The Peloponnesian War - Page 5 of 17

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Outbreak of the War

Corinth and Athens fought indirectly, through their colonies and allies, each unwilling to have their respective forces face one another. At  Corcyra and  Potidaea in 433, Corinthian and Athenian ships fought one another, though only in the role of protectors of their colonies.

 In 432, land forces engaged over Megara, which is on the isthmus of Corinth. Then, in 431, Thebes attacked Plataea in an attempt to force that city to join its own  Boeotian League. Plataea, you should recall, was the one city to fight alongside Athens at Marathon. The Athenians still offered special thanks to the city every five years in remembrance. There was no way Athens would tolerate Theban domination of Plataea. Athens declared war on Thebes, Sparta sprang to the defense of its ally, and everybody chose up sides, and the war was on.  

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History of Western Civilization
Dr.Ellis L. Knox
Boise State University
Last Revised 22 June 1995