How did disputes involving Corcyra and Potidaea help cause the Peloponnesian War?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Thucydides Thucydides manuscript, 3rd century bc (Hamburg, Staats- und Universitätsbibliothek, P. Hamburg 163).

According to the historian Thucydides, the disputes involving Corcyra and Potidaea were primary precipitating causes of the Peloponnesian War, as they drew Athens into direct conflict with Sparta’s allies.1

Corcyra: A conflict arose between Corcyra and Corinth over the colony of Epidamnus. When Corcyra appealed to Athens for support, Athens entered a defensive alliance and sent a peacekeeping force. This led to direct naval clashes between Athenian and Corinthian ships, escalating tensions significantly.1
Potidaea: As a Corinthian colony that was also a tributary member of the Athenian empire, Potidaea occupied a sensitive position. Athens demanded that Potidaea dismiss its Corinthian magistrates, leading the city to revolt. Athens subsequently laid siege to the city, and an unofficial Corinthian force intervened to assist the rebels.1

These events brought the temperature of international relations to a breaking point. Following these provocations, a congress of the Peloponnesian League was convened, where the decision for war against Athens was ultimately made.1