Megarian Decree - de Ste. Croix's Revisionist Interpretation

De Ste. Croix's Revisionist Interpretation

The historical revisionist De Ste. Croix argues that a trade sanction would not significantly affect Megara as the decree applied only to Megarian citizens when it is likely that the majority of trade in all cities was completed by ‘Metics’ (foreigners or outsiders) who would be unaffected by a ban on citizens of Megara.

De Ste. Croix also highlights the uncertainty regarding the context in which the decree was passed. At the beginning of the Second Peloponnesian War the Athenians invaded the Megarid twice yearly with large forces to ravage their land, while also maintaining a sea blockade. After 6 years of this there were little or no remaining crops - this may account for the "starvation" suggested in Acharnians. De Ste. Croix also points out that the decree would have only been effective in a context prior to the war for one year, because the Megarids would have had no right of entry to markets in any war situation.