Abstract
This thesis examines Thucydides’ presentation of the Corinthians in his account of the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War. It discusses how and where Thucydides manipulates his description of events in order to stress the impression of Corinthian belligerence as a cause of the war, and highlights how this presentation allows Thucydides to present Athenian actions in a positive light, by making them appear as reactions to Corinthian intransigence. This thesis also examines the background to the conflict and discusses how the Athenians can be seen as largely responsible for creating the tension between Athens and Corinth because of their desire for the natural resources of the west, which resulted in a policy aimed at controlling strategic locations along the Corinthian Gulf. Finally, the Corinthian navy is examined from two perspectives: Thucydides’ presentation of it in action; and what the reality of Corinthian naval strength was at the time of the war’s outbreak. This section discusses how the less professional nature of the Corinthian navy allowed Thucydides to exaggerate certain weaknesses in order to make the Athenian navy appear even more superior than it already was. Ultimately, this thesis shows how a closer and more critical examination of Thucydides’ presentation of Corinth helps us to understand better the complex background to the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War.