The Corinthians, however,
were not at all disposed to acquiesce in their defeat, and during the
whole of the following year they were busy organising a fresh
expedition on a vast scale, being resolved at all costs to put down
the insolence of Corcyra. These preparations caused no small anxiety
to the Corcyraeans. Hitherto they had stood apart, and refused to take
any share in the complicated game of Greek politics. The course of
affairs during the last forty years had tended more and more to divide
the Greek world into two opposite camps, arrayed under the banners of
Athens and Sparta. As Dorians, the Corcyraeans would naturally have
enrolled themselves among the allies of Sparta,--as islanders and
seamen, they might have leaned to the side of Athens: but confident in
their remote situation, and in the power of their fleet, they had
chosen to remain neutral. But finding themselves threatened with
destruction, they now resolved to abandon their policy of selfish
isolation, and sue for admission into the Athenian alliance.
Ambassadors were sent to Athens to urge their plea; and the
Corinthians, hearing of their intention, sent representatives of their
own to oppose the application.
The Athenians were fully alive to the gravity of the question which
they were called upon to decide, and after listening to the arguments
of the Corcyraean and Corinthian orators, they adjourned the debate
until the next day.
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