Today's Passage
This passage comes from Alcibiades' speech to the Athenian assembly in 415 BCE, advocating for the Sicilian Expedition.
Crawley Translation (1910)
“Thus did my youth and so-called monstrous folly find fitting arguments to deal with the power of the Peloponnesians, and by its ardour win their confidence and prevail. And do not be afraid of my youth now, but while I am still in its flower, and Nicias appears fortunate, avail yourselves to the utmost of the services of us both. Neither rescind your resolution to sail to Sicily, on the ground that you would be going to attack a great power. The cities in Sicily are peopled by motley rabbles, and easily change their institutions and adopt new ones in their stead; and consequently the inhabitants, being without any feeling of patriotism, are not provided with arms for their persons, and have not regularly established themselves on the land; every man thinks that either by fair words or by party strife he can obtain something at the public expense, and then in the event of a catastrophe settle in some other country, and makes his preparations accordingly. From a mob like this you need not look for either unanimity in counsel or concert in action; but they will probably one by one come in as they get a fair offer, especially if they are torn by civil strife as we are told. Moreover, the Siceliots have not so many heavy infantry as they boast; just as the Hellenes generally did not prove so numerous as each state reckoned itself, but Hellas greatly over-estimated their numbers, and has hardly had an adequate force of heavy infantry throughout this war. The states in Sicily, therefore, from all that I can hear, will be found as I say, and I have not pointed out all our advantages, for we shall have the help of many barbarians, who from their hatred of the Syracusans will join us in attacking them; nor will the powers at home prove any hindrance, if you judge rightly. Our fathers with these very adversaries, which it is said we shall now leave behind us when we sail, and the Mede as their enemy as well, were able to win the empire, depending solely on their superiority at sea. The Peloponnesians had never so little hope against us as at present; and let them be ever so sanguine, although strong enough to invade our country even if we stay at home, they can never hurt us with their navy, as we leave one of our own behind us that is a match for them.
Modern Translation
So it was that my youth and what some call my outrageous recklessness found the right arguments to confront Peloponnesian power, and through its passionate energy gained their trust and succeeded. Don't fear my youth now—while I'm still in my prime and Nicias seems blessed by fortune, make full use of what we both can offer. Don't reverse your decision to sail against Sicily thinking you'll be attacking some mighty power. The Sicilian cities are filled with mixed populations who readily abandon their constitutions and embrace new ones. As a result, the inhabitants lack patriotic sentiment, don't arm themselves properly, and haven't established firm roots in their land. Each person believes he can gain something from public funds through smooth talk or factional politics, and if disaster strikes, he'll simply relocate elsewhere—so everyone prepares accordingly. From such a rabble, expect neither unified planning nor coordinated action. They'll likely join us individually as we make attractive offers, especially if civil discord divides them, as we hear it does. Furthermore, the Sicilians don't possess the heavy infantry forces they claim. Just as Greek states generally proved less populous than each calculated itself to be—Greece vastly overestimated its numbers and has barely maintained sufficient heavy infantry throughout this war. The Sicilian states, therefore, will prove to be as I describe, and I haven't even mentioned all our advantages. We'll have numerous barbarian allies who, in their hatred of Syracuse, will join our attack. The powers back home won't obstruct us if you think clearly. Our ancestors, facing these same enemies we're supposedly abandoning by sailing away, with the Persian threat besides, still managed to build our empire relying purely on naval supremacy. The Peloponnesians have never had less hope against us than now. However confident they feel, while they're strong enough to invade our territory if we remain home, they cannot harm us at sea, since we're leaving behind a fleet that matches theirs.
Historical Context
This passage comes from Alcibiades' speech to the Athenian assembly in 415 BCE, advocating for the Sicilian Expedition. Following Nicias' cautious speech warning against the venture, the young and charismatic Alcibiades counters by defending his youth and ambition while arguing that Sicily presents an easy target. He portrays Sicilian cities as unstable and their populations as uncommitted mercenaries lacking civic virtue. This speech exemplifies Athenian imperial confidence at its peak, just before the expedition that would prove disastrous. Alcibiades' rhetoric combines personal defense with strategic analysis, revealing both the allure and dangers of Athenian imperialism.
Key Themes
Annotations & References
Sicilian Expedition
The massive Athenian naval expedition to Sicily (415-413 BCE) aimed to conquer Syracuse and extend Athenian power westward. It ended in complete disaster, marking the beginning of Athens' decline. Alcibiades was one of three generals appointed to lead it.
Learn more →Alcibiades
Brilliant but controversial Athenian politician and general (450-404 BCE). Known for his charisma, ambition, and shifting loyalties. His advocacy for the Sicilian Expedition and subsequent defection to Sparta after being recalled on religious charges significantly impacted the war's course.
Learn more →Greek Heavy Infantry
Hoplites were the backbone of Greek armies, citizen-soldiers who could afford bronze armor and weapons. Alcibiades' comment about overestimated numbers reflects a common problem in ancient warfare: cities exaggerating their military strength for diplomatic advantage.
Learn more →Barbarian Allies
Greeks called non-Greek speakers 'barbarians.' In Sicily, these included native Sicels, Sicans, and other indigenous peoples. Alcibiades correctly predicts some would ally with Athens against the Greek city of Syracuse, though this advantage proved less decisive than hoped.
Learn more →Parallel Ancient Sources
Plutarch: Life of Alcibiades (17.1-4)
Plutarch describes the same assembly debate, emphasizing Alcibiades' personal ambition and rivalry with Nicias, adding psychological depth to the political maneuvering Thucydides presents more neutrally.
Read passage →Plutarch: Life of Nicias (12.1-2)
Provides Nicias' perspective on the debate, portraying him as prudent but outmaneuvered by Alcibiades' rhetoric and the Athenians' imperial ambitions, complementing Thucydides' account.
Read passage →Diodorus Siculus: Library of History (12.83-84)
Offers an alternative account of the Sicilian debate, with more emphasis on the economic motivations and the role of Syracusan exiles in encouraging the expedition.
Read passage →Discussion Questions
- How does Alcibiades turn potential weaknesses (his youth and reputation) into rhetorical strengths? What does this reveal about Athenian political culture?
- Analyze Alcibiades' characterization of Sicilian society. How does his portrait of a rootless, mercenary population serve his argument? What assumptions about civic virtue does it reveal?
- Compare Alcibiades' confidence in Athenian naval supremacy with historical hindsight. What factors does he fail to consider that would prove decisive?
- How does this speech exemplify the tensions between democratic decision-making and imperial ambition in classical Athens?