In Italy the Locrians were for the Syracusans, the Rhegians for their Leontine kinsmen.

The allies of the Leontines now sent to Athens and appealed to their ancient alliance and to their Ionian origin, to persuade the Athenians to send them a fleet, as the Syracusans were blockading them by land and sea.

The Athenians sent it 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..