Today's Passage
This passage describes the escalation of the Epidamnian crisis into open conflict between Corinth and Corcyra, two major naval powers.
Crawley Translation (1910)
All these grievances made Corinth eager to send the promised aid to Epidamnus. Advertisement was made for volunteer settlers, and a force of Ambraciots, Leucadians, and Corinthians was dispatched. They marched by land to Apollonia, a Corinthian colony, the route by sea being avoided from fear of Corcyraean interruption. When the Corcyraeans heard of the arrival of the settlers and troops in Epidamnus, and the surrender of the colony to Corinth, they took fire. Instantly putting to sea with five-and-twenty ships, which were quickly followed by others, they insolently commanded the Epidamnians to receive back the banished nobles—(it must be premised that the Epidamnian exiles had come to Corcyra and, pointing to the sepulchres of their ancestors, had appealed to their kindred to restore them)—and to dismiss the Corinthian garrison and settlers. But to all this the Epidamnians turned a deaf ear. Upon this the Corcyraeans commenced operations against them with a fleet of forty sail. They took with them the exiles, with a view to their restoration, and also secured the services of the Illyrians. Sitting down before the city, they issued a proclamation to the effect that any of the natives that chose, and the foreigners, might depart unharmed, with the alternative of being treated as enemies. On their refusal the Corcyraeans proceeded to besiege the city, which stands on an isthmus; and the Corinthians, receiving intelligence of the investment of Epidamnus, got together an armament and proclaimed a colony to Epidamnus, perfect political equality being guaranteed to all who chose to go. Any who were not prepared to sail at once might, by paying down the sum of fifty Corinthian drachmae, have a share in the colony without leaving Corinth. Great numbers took advantage of this proclamation, some being ready to start directly, others paying the requisite forfeit. In case of their passage being disputed by the Corcyraeans, several cities were asked to lend them a convoy. Megara prepared to accompany them with eight ships, Pale in Cephallonia with four; Epidaurus furnished five, Hermione one, Troezen two, Leucas ten, and Ambracia eight. The Thebans and Phliasians were asked for money, the Eleans for hulls as well; while Corinth herself furnished thirty ships and three thousand heavy infantry.
Modern Translation
These accumulated grievances made Corinth eager to deliver the promised assistance to Epidamnus. They publicly recruited volunteer colonists and assembled a military force consisting of Ambraciots, Leucadians, and their own Corinthian troops. The expedition traveled overland to Apollonia, a Corinthian colony, deliberately avoiding the sea route for fear of interception by Corcyraean naval forces. When the Corcyraeans learned that settlers and soldiers had arrived in Epidamnus and that the colony had surrendered itself to Corinthian control, they were incensed. They immediately launched a fleet of twenty-five ships, soon reinforced by additional vessels, and arrogantly ordered the Epidamnians to readmit the exiled aristocrats—these Epidamnian exiles had fled to Corcyra where, gesturing toward their ancestors' tombs, they had invoked kinship ties to secure support for their restoration—and to expel both the Corinthian garrison and the new settlers. The Epidamnians flatly refused these demands. In response, the Corcyraeans initiated military operations with a fleet of forty ships. They brought the exiles along, intending to restore them by force, and also enlisted Illyrian allies. After blockading the city, which occupied a strategic position on an isthmus, they issued an ultimatum: any native Epidamnians or foreign residents who wished could leave safely, but those who remained would be treated as enemies. When this offer was rejected, the Corcyraeans began besieging the city. The Corinthians, upon learning of Epidamnus's blockade, assembled a relief expedition and announced a new colonization venture to Epidamnus, promising complete political equality to all participants. Those unable to sail immediately could secure their place in the colony by paying fifty Corinthian drachmae in advance. This proclamation attracted numerous applicants—some ready to depart at once, others paying the fee to reserve their share. Anticipating Corcyraean naval opposition, Corinth requested military escorts from various cities. Megara committed eight ships, Pale in Cephallonia four, Epidaurus five, Hermione one, Troezen two, Leucas ten, and Ambracia eight. The Thebans and Phliasians were asked for financial support, the Eleans for both money and ship hulls. Corinth itself contributed thirty ships and three thousand heavy infantry.
Historical Context
This passage describes the escalation of the Epidamnian crisis into open conflict between Corinth and Corcyra, two major naval powers. Epidamnus, experiencing civil strife, had rejected help from its mother-city Corcyra and instead appealed to Corinth. The Corcyraeans, viewing this as an affront to their authority, attempted to reassert control by supporting the exiled aristocrats and besieging the city. Corinth's response—organizing a major colonization expedition with widespread allied support—transformed a local dispute into a regional conflict. This confrontation would eventually draw in Athens and Sparta, becoming one of the immediate causes of the Peloponnesian War. The passage illustrates how colonial relationships, personal grievances, and power politics intersected in the Greek world.
Key Themes
Annotations & References
Greek Colonization
The promise of 'perfect political equality' (isopoliteia) for new colonists was unusual and attractive. Unlike typical colonies where original settlers held privileged status, Corinth offered equal rights to attract maximum participation in this strategically important venture.
Learn more →Naval Warfare
The Corinthian decision to march overland to Apollonia reveals the vulnerability of transport ships to warship interception. This tactical consideration shows how naval superiority could dictate strategic movement even on land routes.
Learn more →Ancestral Claims
The exiles' appeal at their ancestors' tombs represents a powerful Greek religious and social custom. Pointing to family graves invoked sacred obligations of kinship and demonstrated their legitimate connection to the city.
Learn more →Illyrians
The Illyrians were non-Greek peoples inhabiting the western Balkans. Their involvement as Corcyraean allies shows how Greek cities often employed 'barbarian' mercenaries and demonstrates the complex ethnic landscape of the ancient Adriatic region.
Learn more →Parallel Ancient Sources
Diodorus Siculus: Library of History (12.30-31)
Diodorus provides a condensed account of the Epidamnian affair, emphasizing the role of civil strife (stasis) in weakening Greek cities and creating opportunities for external intervention.
Read passage →Plutarch: Life of Pericles (29)
Plutarch discusses how the Corcyraean conflict forced Athens to choose sides, highlighting Pericles' role in supporting Corcyra despite Corinthian objections, which precipitated the war.
Read passage →Herodotus: Histories (3.48-53)
Herodotus recounts earlier Corinthian-Corcyraean hostilities involving the tyrant Periander, showing that animosity between these cities had deep historical roots predating the Epidamnian crisis.
Read passage →Discussion Questions
- How does the promise of 'perfect political equality' for new colonists reflect Corinth's desperation to secure support? What does this tell us about typical colonial hierarchies?
- Why might the Epidamnian exiles' appeal to ancestral tombs have been particularly effective in securing Corcyraean support? What role did religious and kinship obligations play in Greek interstate relations?
- Analyze Corinth's coalition-building efforts. What does the variety of support (ships, money, troops, hulls) tell us about different cities' resources and interests?
- How does this conflict illustrate the instability of the Greek colonial system? Could such disputes have been prevented through different political arrangements?