History of the Peloponnesian War

As for the reason why they broke it, I have first narrated their grounds of complaint and their differences, that no one might ever have to inquire from what origin so great a war broke out amongst the Greeks. For the truest reason, though least brought forward in words, I consider to have been, that the Athenians, by becoming great, and causing alarm to the Lacedaemonians, compelled them to proceed to hostilities.

But the following were the grounds of complaints openly alleged on either side, from which they broke the truce, and set to the war.

Epidamnuis is a, city situated on the right hand as you sail into the Ionian Gulf; bordering upon it, are the Taulantii, a barbarian people of Illyria.

It was planted by the Corcyraeans, but the leader of the colony was one Phalius, the son of Heratoclidas, a Corinthian of the lineage of Hercules who, [*]( The conjunction δή in this and similar passages merely serves to call for the reader's attention. In compliance, you must know, with the ancient custom. —Arnold.) according to the ancient custom, was invited for this object from the mother city.