Today's Passage
This passage occurs during the Athenian assembly's debate about the Sicilian Expedition (415 BCE), Athens' most ambitious and ultimately disastrous military venture.
Crawley Translation (1910)
With this Nicias concluded, thinking that he should either disgust the Athenians by the magnitude of the undertaking, or, if obliged to sail on the expedition, would thus do so in the safest way possible. The Athenians, however, far from having their taste for the voyage taken away by the burdensomeness of the preparations, became more eager for it than ever; and just the contrary took place of what Nicias had thought, as it was held that he had given good advice, and that the expedition would be the safest in the world. All alike fell in love with the enterprise. The older men thought that they would either subdue the places against which they were to sail, or at all events, with so large a force, meet with no disaster; those in the prime of life felt a longing for foreign sights and spectacles, and had no doubt that they should come safe home again; while the idea of the common people and the soldiery was to earn wages at the moment, and make conquests that would supply a never-ending fund of pay for the future. With this enthusiasm of the majority, the few that liked it not, feared to appear unpatriotic by holding up their hands against it, and so kept quiet.
At last one of the Athenians came forward and called upon Nicias and told him that he ought not to make excuses or put them off, but say at once before them all what forces the Athenians should vote him. Upon this he said, not without reluctance, that he would advise upon that matter more at leisure with his colleagues; as far however as he could see at present, they must sail with at least one hundred galleys—the Athenians providing as many transports as they might determine, and sending for others from the allies—not less than five thousand heavy infantry in all, Athenian and allied, and if possible more; and the rest of the armament in proportion; archers from home and from Crete, and slingers, and whatever else might seem desirable, being got ready by the generals and taken with them.
Upon hearing this the Athenians at once voted that the generals should have full powers in the matter of the numbers of the army and of the expedition generally, to do as they judged best for the interests of Athens. After this the preparations began; messages being sent to the allies and the rolls drawn up at home. And as the city had just recovered from the plague and the long war, and a number of young men had grown up and capital had accumulated by reason of the truce, everything was the more easily provided.
Modern Translation
Nicias concluded his speech with these words, believing he would either discourage the Athenians through the sheer scale of what he proposed, or, if forced to lead the expedition, would at least ensure it was undertaken with maximum safety. Yet the Athenians reacted in precisely the opposite way from what Nicias intended. Rather than being deterred by the extensive preparations required, they became even more enthusiastic about the voyage. His strategy completely backfired—they interpreted his words as sound advice and concluded that such a well-equipped expedition would be absolutely secure. The entire city was swept up in a collective passion for the enterprise. The older citizens believed they would either conquer their intended targets or, given such overwhelming force, could not possibly suffer defeat. Those in their prime yearned for adventure and foreign sights, confident they would return safely home. The common people and ordinary soldiers saw immediate wages and future conquests that would guarantee endless pay. Such was the general enthusiasm that the minority who opposed the plan feared to seem unpatriotic if they voted against it, and so remained silent.
Finally, one Athenian stepped forward and challenged Nicias, demanding he stop making excuses and delays, and declare immediately before the assembly exactly what forces the Athenians should grant him. Reluctantly, Nicias replied that while he would prefer to discuss details more thoroughly with his fellow commanders in private, he could say that they would need at minimum one hundred warships—with Athens providing whatever transports seemed necessary and requesting others from their allies—plus at least five thousand heavy infantry, both Athenian and allied, preferably more. The remaining forces should be proportional: archers from Athens and Crete, slingers, and whatever else seemed appropriate, all to be organized by the generals and brought along.
Hearing this, the Athenians immediately voted to grant the generals absolute authority regarding the size of the forces and all aspects of the expedition, empowering them to act as they deemed best for Athens' interests. Preparations began at once: envoys were dispatched to the allies while recruitment lists were drawn up at home. Since the city had recently recovered from both the plague and the prolonged war, with a new generation of young men reaching maturity and financial reserves rebuilt during the peace, everything needed was more readily available.
Historical Context
This passage occurs during the Athenian assembly's debate about the Sicilian Expedition (415 BCE), Athens' most ambitious and ultimately disastrous military venture. Nicias, appointed as one of three generals despite his opposition to the expedition, attempts reverse psychology by proposing such massive force requirements that he hopes to discourage the venture. Instead, his strategy backfires spectacularly—the Athenians interpret his caution as prudent planning and become even more enthusiastic. The passage reveals the dangerous dynamics of Athenian democracy: war fever, generational divides, economic motivations, and the silencing of dissent through social pressure. This moment marks a critical turning point where Athens commits to an expedition that will ultimately lead to catastrophic defeat and precipitate the city's downfall.
Key Themes
Annotations & References
Athenian Democracy and Decision-Making
This passage illustrates the volatility of direct democracy in Athens, where emotional appeals and collective enthusiasm could override prudent counsel. The assembly's immediate vote for unlimited powers to the generals shows how democratic bodies could make sweeping decisions based on popular sentiment rather than careful deliberation.
Learn more →The Sicilian Expedition
The Sicilian Expedition (415-413 BCE) was Athens' attempt to conquer Sicily, particularly Syracuse. It ended in complete disaster with the loss of over 200 ships and perhaps 50,000 men, marking the beginning of Athens' decline in the Peloponnesian War.
Learn more →Ancient Greek Warfare
Nicias's requirements reveal the components of a major Greek military expedition: triremes (warships), transport vessels, hoplites (heavy infantry), archers, and slingers. The mention of Cretan archers highlights how Greek states recruited specialized troops from regions known for particular military skills.
Learn more →Economic Motivations for War
The passage explicitly mentions economic incentives: immediate wages for soldiers and the prospect of future tribute from conquered territories. This reveals how imperial expansion was driven by financial considerations, particularly for Athens' lower classes who manned the fleet.
Learn more →Parallel Ancient Sources
Plutarch: Life of Nicias (12-13)
Plutarch provides additional details about Nicias's reluctance and the Athenians' enthusiasm, emphasizing how Alcibiades inflamed public opinion and how omens and prophecies were interpreted to support the expedition.
Read passage →Plutarch: Life of Alcibiades (17-18)
Offers Alcibiades' perspective on the same assembly, showing how he advocated for the expedition and countered Nicias's arguments, providing insight into the political dynamics Thucydides describes more neutrally.
Read passage →Diodorus Siculus: Library of History (12.83-84)
Provides an alternative account of the Sicilian debate with different details about the size of forces requested and the economic state of Athens, though generally following Thucydides' narrative.
Read passage →Discussion Questions
- How does this passage illustrate the dangers of collective enthusiasm overriding individual judgment in democratic decision-making? What modern parallels can you identify?
- Analyze the different motivations for supporting the expedition among various age and social groups. What does this reveal about Athenian society and imperialism?
- Why did Nicias's strategy of deterrence through excessive demands backfire? What does this suggest about the psychology of groups versus individuals?
- How does Thucydides use the phrase 'fell in love with the enterprise' (ἔρως ἐνέπεσε) and what does this emotional language suggest about rational decision-making in politics?