In
the heart of Peloponnesus the Spartans were hatching mischief against
their hated rival, who had robbed them of half their dignity as the
acknowledged leaders of the Greeks. Corinth, whose commerce was
chiefly in the western sea, outside the sphere of Athenian influence,
was disposed to be friendly, and had done the Athenians good service
during the revolt of Samos.[Footnote: See below, p. 31.] But five
years later [Footnote: B.C. 435.] an event occurred which changed this
feeling into bitter hatred against Athens, and drove the Corinthians
into the ranks of her most inveterate foes. And it is at this point
that we take up the main thread of our story.
STORIES FROM THUCYDIDES
CORINTH AND CORCYRA
I
It was in a remote corner of the Greek world that the trouble began
which was destined to breed such mischief and havoc for the whole of
Greece. At the beginning of the seventh century before our era the
island of Corcyra had been colonised by the Corinthians. The colony
grew and flourished, and in its turn founded other settlements on the
opposite coasts of Epirus and Illyria. Among these was Epidamnus,
called by the Romans Dyrrachium, and in Roman times the ordinary
landing-place for travellers from Italy to Greece. After many years of
prosperity the resources of Epidamnus were much crippled by internal
faction, and by wars with the neighbouring barbarians.
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