History Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 70

History - Essay Example The Athenians were innocent of this (Kagan). As a matter of fact, the Athenians did not join in the battle at Corcyra until their defeat was imminent. The Athenian siege of Potidaea did not cause the war as this was an act of defense against the true aggressor, Corinth. Corinth had been sworn into a binding oath to respect the dominion and rule of the Athenians in Potidaea. By sending military forces to Potidaea, Corinth had broken the treaty. Athens, as a sovereign state, has every legal right and mandate to control the economic issues and aspects of the empire. The treaty that had been signed by both parties did not specify that one party could not issue a decree against the other (Thucydides, Hammond and Rhodes). This means that Athens was within its legal and rightful power to issue the decree against Megara. In conclusion, the Athenians did not in any way cause the war. Certain policies may have played a role in fueling the war, but considering the facts that are specific to this war, the Athenians acted within the law. Their actions served to protect their sovereignty within its