History of the Peloponnesian War

Thus spoke the Corinthians. And the Athenians, having heard both sides, held a second session of the Ecclesia; and although at the earlier one they were rather inclined to agree with the words of the Corinthians, on the second day they changed their minds in favour of the Corcyraeans, and decided, not, indeed, to make an offensive and defensive alliance with them, for in that case, if the Corcyraeans then asked them to join in an expedition against Corinth, they would have to break, on their own responsibility, the treaty with the Lacedaemoniansbut they made a defensive alliance, namely to aid one another in case anyone should attack Corcyra or Athens or the allies of either.

For they believed that in any event the war with the Peloponnesians would have to be faced, and they did not wish to give up Corcyra, which had so large a fleet, to the Corinthians, but hoped to wear them out upon one another as much as possible, in order that the Corinthians as well as other naval powers[*](Referring especially to those mentioned Thuc. 1.27.2.) might be found weaker in case they had to go to war with them.

Besides, the island seemed to them admirably situated for a coasting voyage to Italy and Sicily.[*](cf. Thuc. 1.36.2.)