Concerned about Corinthian preparations for war, Athens acted against a Corinthian colony at Potidaia in Thessaly. They ordered the Potidaians to pull down their fortifications and send hostages to Athens. The city revolted and Athens sent thirty ships with hoplites to put it down. Corinth, in its own response sent an army along with mercenaries to defend Potidaia. A siege began between the parties, which was paused when the parties sent representatives to Sparta in 432. After speeches from both sides, the Spartan king Archidamos, pleaded for restraint and negotiation to avoid war. Unfortunately, his words of caution were negated by the Ephor Sthelaidas who incited the assembly’s emotions and got them to agree that the Athenians had broken their treaty.
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