Philip, having enlisted the support of Athens…

Philip, having enlisted the support of Athens and King Derdas of Elimea, is challenging his older brother Perdiccas for the Macedonian throne by 434 BCE.

Perdiccas responds by stirring up rebellion in a number of Athenian tribute cities, including Potidaea.

Athens responds with force, sending one thousand hoplites and thirty ships to Macedonia where they capture Therma.

They go on to besiege Pydna, where they are met by reinforcements of a further two thousand hoplites and forty ships.

However, as the Athenians are besieging Pydna, they receive news that Corinth has sent a force of sixteen hundred hoplites and four hundred light troops to support Potidaea.

In order to combat this new threat, Athens makes an alliance with Perdiccas, and proceeds to Potidaea.

Perdiccas immediately breaks the treaty and marches to Potidaea, while the Athenians are eventually victorious, the battle (along with the Battle of Sybota) directly leads to the Peloponnesian War.