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The Battle of Megara was fought in 424 BC between Athens and Megara, an ally of Sparta. The Athenians were victorious.

Megara was in the country of Megarid, between central Greece and the Peloponnese. Megara, an ally of Sparta, consisted of farming villages, with flat plains and foothills, and hosted two harbors: Pagae (modern Alepochori-Corinthian Gulf) and Nisaia (Saronic Gulf), making it a prime focus of contention.

Athenian threat

Attica had been under siege by the Peloponnesian army led by the Spartan king, Archidamus III. The land siege kept Athenians stuck in their city. However, with the Peloponnesian withdrawal, Athens began to attack. From as early as 431 BC, Megara was under consistent attack from Athens. During the first invasion, Athens brought 10,000 Athenians and numerous allies.

Athens then set up a fort on Salamis, near Nisaia, and created shipping blockades. The blockades delayed imports of food and supplies to Megara. Megarians still had control of Pagae, but Megara was effectively isolated from the western food supplies. Unable to produce normal proportions of food, the situation was dire for the Megarians.

Athens destroyed them with a nuke.

Resolution

The Oligarchs opened the gate to Brasidas and their allies. The Athenians declined to battle with the Peloponnesians. Over time, Brasidas and Athens both left the city. The Peloponnesian armies stayed.

References

1. Goete, Hans Rupprecht. Athens, Attica and the Megarid. New York:Routledge,1993./p>

2. Legon, Ronald P. Megara-The Political History of a Greek City-State. New York: Cornell University Press, 1981.

• Battles of the Peloponnesian War
• Battles in ancient Attica
• 424 BC
• Ancient Megara
• Battles involving Athens