Megarian Decree Essay

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A member of the Peloponnesian League, Megara’s alliance with and subsequent revolt against Athens caused the first embargo in recorded history, the Megarian Decree; Pericles’ unprecedented actions alarmed the Spartans, and caused greater hostility between Athens and Sparta. Megara, a city-state that fought with Athens in the Persian War, became involved in a border dispute with Corinth, a Spartan ally. This conflict between two third party city-states caused Megara to leave the Peloponnesian League and ally itself with Athens in 460 BC. Due to its location between Athens and Sparta, an alliance with Megara benefited Athens greatly. The involvement of Athens in the formation of a democracy in Megara and the expansion of the long walls from Megara to …show more content…

A Spartan envoy to Athens made clear to the Athenians that a war could be prevented if they reversed the decree. According to Thucydides, “the Athenians held an assembly, and laid the matter before their consideration….there were many speakers who came forward and gave their support to one side or the other, urging the necessity of war, or the revocation of the decree and the folly of allowing it to stand in the way of peace.” A significant part of Thucydides account is the speech Pericles gave before the assembly: “for some time past the designs of the Lacedaemonians have been clear enough, and they are still clearer now...they want to redress their grievances by arms and not by argument.” In this defiant speech by Pericles which referenced the Thirty Years Peace, Thucydides showed how hostility increased quickly between Athens and Sparta due third party city states. There were several offenses committed by both Sparta and Athens and the Megarian Decree was yet another instance of strain in the relationship between the two

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