Explanation of the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War.

In 432 B.C., a fight between Corinth and Epidamnus broke out. Epidamnus was allied to Sparta, thus Spartan troops arrived in aid to Epidamnus. Corinth wasn't allied to Sparta nor Athens, but due to an overwhelming situation Corinth pleaded to Athens for aid. Athens dispatched thirty ships as a result of Corinth's plea. Another fight broke out in 432 B.C. involving Corinth, Potidea, and Athens. Athens set siege to Potidea and ravaged the surrounding areas. …

…ended at age 30. According to Thucydides the major cause of the Peloponnesian War was "the growth of Athenian power and the fear which was caused in Sparta." Sparta feared the growth of the Athenian Empire. In addition, Sparta hated that Athens dominated the trading industry by sea. Thucydides also believed the war started contrasts between real underlying reasons and immediate causes. It is important to keep these views in mind while studying the Peloponnesian war.