Today's Passage
This passage describes the naval mobilization preceding the Battle of Sybota (433 BCE), one of the immediate catalysts of the Peloponnesian War.
Crawley Translation (1910)
Meanwhile the Corinthians completed their preparations, and sailed for Corcyra with a hundred and fifty ships. Of these Elis furnished ten, Megara twelve, Leucas ten, Ambracia twenty-seven, Anactorium one, and Corinth herself ninety. Each of these contingents had its own admiral, the Corinthian being under the command of Xenoclides, son of Euthycles, with four colleagues. Sailing from Leucas, they made land at the part of the continent opposite Corcyra. They anchored in the harbour of Chimerium, in the territory of Thesprotis, above which, at some distance from the sea, lies the city of Ephyre, in the Elean district. By this city the Acherusian lake pours its waters into the sea. It gets its name from the river Acheron, which flows through Thesprotis and falls into the lake. There also the river Thyamis flows, forming the boundary between Thesprotis and Kestrine; and between these rivers rises the point of Chimerium. In this part of the continent the Corinthians now came to anchor, and formed an encampment. When the Corcyraeans saw them coming, they manned a hundred and ten ships, commanded by Meikiades, Aisimides, and Eurybatus, and stationed themselves at one of the Sybota isles; the ten Athenian ships being present. On Point Leukimme they posted their land forces, and a thousand heavy infantry who had come from Zacynthus to their assistance. Nor were the Corinthians on the mainland without their allies. The barbarians flocked in large numbers to their assistance, the inhabitants of this part of the continent being old allies of theirs.
Modern Translation
Meanwhile, the Corinthians had completed their preparations and set sail for Corcyra with one hundred and fifty ships. Elis contributed ten vessels, Megara twelve, Leucas ten, Ambracia twenty-seven, and Anactorium one, while Corinth herself provided ninety. Each allied contingent had its own commander, with the Corinthian fleet under Xenoclides, son of Euthycles, assisted by four colleagues. Setting out from Leucas, they reached the mainland coast opposite Corcyra and anchored at Chimerium harbor in Thesprotian territory. Above this point, some distance inland, stands the city of Ephyre in the Elean district. The Acherusian lake empties into the sea near this city, taking its name from the river Acheron that flows through Thesprotis before entering the lake. The river Thyamis also flows here, marking the border between Thesprotis and Kestrine, with Cape Chimerium rising between these two rivers. Here the Corinthians established their anchorage and set up camp. When the Corcyraeans spotted their approach, they manned one hundred and ten ships under the command of Meikiades, Aisimides, and Eurybatus, and took position at one of the Sybota islands, accompanied by the ten Athenian vessels. They stationed their infantry on Cape Leukimme, reinforced by a thousand heavy infantry sent from Zacynthus. The mainland Corinthians also had their allies: large numbers of local barbarians joined them, as the inhabitants of this region were long-standing allies of Corinth.
Historical Context
This passage describes the naval mobilization preceding the Battle of Sybota (433 BCE), one of the immediate catalysts of the Peloponnesian War. The conflict arose from Corcyra's civil war and its appeal to Athens for protection against Corinth, its former mother city. Athens' decision to send a small defensive squadron (ten ships) represented a careful attempt to honor their new alliance with Corcyra without directly violating the Thirty Years' Peace with Sparta and its allies. The Corinthian coalition's impressive fleet of 150 ships demonstrates the seriousness of their intent to subjugate their rebellious colony. The geographic details Thucydides provides show both sides positioning themselves strategically across the strait between Corcyra and the mainland, setting up what would become one of the largest naval battles in Greek history to that point.
Key Themes
Annotations & References
Greek Naval Warfare
Greek naval battles of this period relied on triremes - warships with three banks of oars. The numbers here (150 vs 120 ships) represent one of the largest naval engagements before the Peloponnesian War proper, showing how naval power was becoming increasingly decisive in Greek warfare.
Learn more →Corinthian Colonization
Corcyra (modern Corfu) was founded by Corinth around 735 BCE but had a history of rebellion against its mother city. This colonial relationship and its breakdown illustrates the complex dynamics of Greek colonization and the tensions that could arise between colonies and their founders.
Learn more →Thesprotis Geography
Thesprotis was a region in Epirus in northwestern Greece. Thucydides' detailed geographical description, including rivers and landmarks, reflects his emphasis on accurate topographical information, which was crucial for understanding military movements and strategy.
Learn more →Barbarian Allies
Thucydides' reference to 'barbarians' (non-Greek speakers) as Corinthian allies shows how Greek city-states often formed alliances with local non-Greek peoples. These Epirote tribes provided additional manpower and local knowledge crucial for military campaigns.
Learn more →Parallel Ancient Sources
Diodorus Siculus: Library of History (12.33)
Diodorus provides a parallel account of the Corcyra-Corinth conflict, though with less detail than Thucydides. He emphasizes the role of this conflict in breaking the Thirty Years' Peace.
Read passage →Plutarch: Life of Pericles (29)
Plutarch discusses Pericles' strategy in sending only ten ships to Corcyra, showing his attempt to help allies while avoiding direct confrontation with Corinth and maintaining plausible adherence to the peace treaty.
Read passage →Pausanias: Description of Greece (1.27.2)
Pausanias mentions monuments in Athens commemorating the Corcyraean alliance, providing archaeological evidence for the importance Athens attached to this relationship in precipitating the great war.
Read passage →Discussion Questions
- How does Thucydides' precise geographical detail contribute to his historical method and what does it tell us about his intended audience?
- What does the coalition nature of the Corinthian fleet suggest about interstate relationships and obligations in classical Greece?
- Why might Athens have sent only ten ships when Corcyra had requested more substantial aid? What does this reveal about Athenian strategy?
- How does the involvement of 'barbarian' allies complicate our understanding of Greek versus non-Greek identity in classical warfare?