History of the Peloponnesian War

And if they were wronging Hellas in some underhand way, you might have needed additional information on the ground of your ignorance; but as the case stands, what need is there of a long harangue, when you see that they have enslaved some of us[*](Referring especially to the Aeginetans, in the other cases to the Megarians and Potidaeans.) and are plotting against others, notably against your own allies, and that they have long been making their preparations with a view to the contingency of war?

For otherwise they would not have purloined Corcyra, which they still hold in despite of us, and would not be besieging Potidaea—one of these being a most strategic point for operations on the Thracian coast, while the other would have furnished a very large fleet to the Peloponnesians.