Today's Passage
This passage describes the emotional departure of the Athenian expedition to Sicily in 415 BCE, one of the most ambitious military ventures in ancient Greek history.
Crawley Translation (1910)
After this the departure for Sicily took place, it being now about midsummer. Most of the allies, with the corn transports and the smaller craft and the rest of the expedition, had already received orders to muster at Corcyra, to cross the Ionian Sea from thence in a body to the Iapygian promontory. But the Athenians themselves, and such of their allies as happened to be with them, went down to Piraeus upon a day appointed at daybreak, and began to man the ships for putting out to sea. With them also went down the whole population, one may say, of the city, both citizens and foreigners; the inhabitants of the country each escorting those that belonged to them, their friends, their relatives, or their sons, with hope and lamentation upon their way, as they thought of the conquests which they hoped to make, or of the friends whom they might never see again, considering the long voyage which they were going to make from their country. Indeed, at this moment, when they were now upon the point of parting from one another, the danger came more home to them than when they voted for the expedition; although the strength of the armament, and the profuse provision which they remarked in every department, was a sight that could not but comfort them. As for the foreigners and the rest of the crowd, they simply went to see a sight worth looking at and passing all belief.
Modern Translation
Following these preparations, the departure for Sicily began around midsummer. The majority of the allies, along with the supply ships, smaller vessels, and remaining expedition forces, had already been ordered to gather at Corcyra. From there, they would cross the Ionian Sea together to the Iapygian promontory. The Athenians themselves, accompanied by whatever allies were present with them, went down to Piraeus at dawn on the appointed day and began boarding their ships for the voyage. Virtually the entire population of Athens accompanied them—citizens and foreigners alike. Local inhabitants escorted their own people: friends, relatives, and sons, experiencing both hope and grief as they walked. They hoped for conquests but feared they might never see their loved ones again, given the vast distance of the journey ahead. Now, at the very moment of separation, the dangers felt more immediate than when they had voted for the expedition. Yet the sight of the armament's strength and the abundant provisions in every department offered some reassurance. The foreigners and other spectators came simply to witness a spectacle that was both remarkable and almost beyond belief.
Historical Context
This passage describes the emotional departure of the Athenian expedition to Sicily in 415 BCE, one of the most ambitious military ventures in ancient Greek history. The Athenians, led by Alcibiades, Nicias, and Lamachus, are launching a massive invasion force to conquer Sicily, particularly targeting Syracuse. The scene at Piraeus captures the conflicting emotions of the Athenian populace—pride in their military might mixed with anxiety about the expedition's risks. This moment represents the height of Athenian imperial ambition during the Peloponnesian War. The expedition would ultimately end in catastrophic defeat in 413 BCE, marking a turning point in Athens' fortunes and contributing significantly to their eventual loss in the war.
Key Themes
Annotations & References
The Sicilian Expedition
The Sicilian Expedition (415-413 BCE) was Athens' attempt to conquer Sicily, particularly Syracuse. It represented the peak of Athenian imperialism but ended in complete disaster, with the loss of over 40,000 men and 200 ships, severely weakening Athens.
Learn more →Piraeus
Piraeus was Athens' main port, located about 5 miles from the city center. It was fortified and connected to Athens by the Long Walls, making it crucial for Athenian naval power and commerce. The port could accommodate hundreds of triremes.
Learn more →Athenian Democracy and War
The passage illustrates how democratic Athens made decisions about war. The assembly had voted for the expedition, but now citizens confronted the reality of sending their relatives on a dangerous distant campaign, showing the personal cost of imperial policies.
Learn more →Greek Naval Warfare
The expedition involved hundreds of ships including triremes (warships), supply vessels, and troop transports. Naval power was essential to Athenian strategy, and this expedition represented the largest Greek naval force assembled to that date.
Learn more →Parallel Ancient Sources
Plutarch: Life of Nicias (14.1-4)
Plutarch describes the same departure scene, emphasizing the religious ceremonies and libations poured from gold and silver cups, adding details about the competitive display of wealth among the trierarchs.
Read passage →Diodorus Siculus: Library of History (12.83-13.2)
Diodorus provides a parallel account of the Sicilian expedition's departure, offering different details about the size of the force and the enthusiasm of the Athenians.
Read passage →Plutarch: Life of Alcibiades (17.1-3)
Describes Alcibiades' role in promoting the expedition and the magnificent display at the departure, emphasizing his personal ambition and the expedition's grandeur.
Read passage →Discussion Questions
- How does Thucydides use the contrast between hope and fear to foreshadow the expedition's outcome?
- What does the presence of 'the whole population' at the departure tell us about Athenian society and the expedition's significance?
- How might this scene have appeared different if narrated from the perspective of an ally forced to contribute ships and men?
- What role does spectacle and display play in democratic Athens' military ventures, based on this passage?