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1. First Athenian
Expedition to Sicily - 427 bce
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- 427;
Leontini and Syracuse are at war.
- The Leontines are Ionians; the
Syracusans are Dorians.
- The Leontines are allied with
Rhegians in Italy; the Syracusans are allied with
Locrians in Italy.
- The allies of the Leontines send
to Athens for aid.
- Athens responds with 20 ships
under
Laches
(replaced by
Pythodorus
in 426) and
Charoeades
(who dies in battle in 426), and establish their base of
operations at Rhegium.
- During 427/6 the Athenians and
their allies conduct campaigns in the Aeolian Islands,
against the Locrians, and against Mylai and Himera, with
varying degrees of success.
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- "The Athenians sent [the fleet
to their allies in Sicily] upon the plea of their
common descent, but in reality to prevent the exportation
of Sicilian corn to Peloponnese and to test the
possibility of bringing Sicily into subjection.
Accordingly they established themselves at Rhegium in
Italy, and from thence carried on the war in concert with
their allies" (3.86.4-5).
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