Today's Passage
This passage describes the ceremonial departure of the Athenian expedition to Sicily in 415 BCE, one of the most ambitious military ventures of the Peloponnesian War.
Crawley Translation (1910)
The ships being now manned, and everything put on board with which they meant to sail, the trumpet commanded silence, and the prayers customary before putting out to sea were offered, not in each ship by itself, but by all together to the voice of a herald; and bowls of wine were mixed through all the armament, and libations made by the soldiers and their officers in gold and silver goblets. In their prayers joined also the crowds on shore, the citizens and all others that wished them well. The hymn sung and the libations finished, they put out to sea, and first out in column then raced each other as far as Aegina, and so hastened to reach Corcyra, where the rest of the allied forces were also assembling.
Seventeenth Year of the War—Parties at Syracuse—Story of Harmodius and Aristogiton—Disgrace of Alcibiades
Meanwhile at Syracuse news came in from many quarters of the expedition, but for a long while met with no credence whatever. Indeed, an assembly was held in which speeches, as will be seen, were delivered by different orators, believing or contradicting the report of the Athenian expedition; among whom Hermocrates, son of Hermon, came forward, being persuaded that he knew the truth of the matter, and gave the following counsel:
Modern Translation
Once the ships were fully crewed and all necessary supplies loaded aboard, a trumpet called for silence. The customary prayers before departure were recited—not separately on each vessel, but collectively, following a herald's lead. Wine was mixed in bowls throughout the entire fleet, and both soldiers and officers poured libations from gold and silver cups. The crowds gathered on shore—citizens and all who wished the expedition success—joined in these prayers. After completing the hymn and libations, they sailed out, initially in formation, then racing one another as far as Aegina, hurrying to reach Corcyra where the remaining allied forces were gathering.
Seventeenth Year of the War—Political Factions at Syracuse—The Harmodius and Aristogeiton Affair—Alcibiades' Disgrace
Meanwhile in Syracuse, reports of the expedition arrived from numerous sources but were met with complete disbelief for an extended period. An assembly convened where various speakers, as we shall see, either supported or denied the reports of Athens' approach. Among these, Hermocrates, son of Hermon, stepped forward. Convinced he possessed accurate information, he offered the following advice:
Historical Context
This passage describes the ceremonial departure of the Athenian expedition to Sicily in 415 BCE, one of the most ambitious military ventures of the Peloponnesian War. The fleet, under the command of Alcibiades, Nicias, and Lamachus, conducted elaborate religious rituals before sailing, demonstrating both the expedition's importance and Athenian confidence. The scene shifts to Syracuse, the expedition's primary target, where news of the approaching force meets skepticism. Hermocrates, who will emerge as a key Syracusan leader, attempts to warn his fellow citizens. This juxtaposition highlights the contrast between Athenian preparation and Syracusan unpreparedness, foreshadowing the campaign's dramatic events. The expedition would ultimately end in catastrophic defeat for Athens, marking a turning point in the war.
Key Themes
Annotations & References
Religious Rituals in Greek Warfare
The elaborate pre-departure ceremonies—prayers, libations, and hymns—reflect the deep integration of religion in Greek military practice. These rituals served to secure divine favor and unite the expedition's participants in shared purpose. The use of precious metal vessels emphasizes the expedition's prestige.
Learn more →The Sicilian Expedition
This massive undertaking involved over 130 ships and 27,000 men, representing Athens at the height of its imperial ambition. The expedition aimed to conquer Syracuse and ultimately all of Sicily, but ended in complete disaster in 413 BCE, severely weakening Athens.
Learn more →Hermocrates of Syracuse
A prominent Syracusan statesman and general who played a crucial role in organizing resistance against the Athenian invasion. His early warnings and strategic insights, often dismissed initially, proved instrumental in Syracuse's eventual victory over the Athenian forces.
Learn more →Greek Naval Racing
The competitive racing to Aegina demonstrates the Greek agonistic spirit even in military contexts. Such displays of seamanship served both practical purposes (training) and psychological ones (demonstrating vigor and confidence to allies and enemies alike).
Learn more →Parallel Ancient Sources
Plutarch: Life of Nicias (12-13)
Plutarch provides additional details about the expedition's departure, emphasizing the spectacular nature of the fleet and the mixed emotions of the Athenian populace, adding personal dimensions to Thucydides' account.
Read passage →Diodorus Siculus: Library of History (12.83-13.2)
Offers a parallel account of the Sicilian expedition's launch and Syracuse's initial response, providing additional details about the size of forces and the political debates in both cities.
Read passage →Xenophon: Hellenica (1.1.1-2)
Though focusing on later events, Xenophon's opening references the aftermath of the Sicilian disaster, providing perspective on the long-term consequences of this expedition's failure.
Read passage →Discussion Questions
- How do the religious rituals before departure reflect Athenian values and their approach to warfare? What modern parallels might exist?
- Why might the Syracusans have initially disbelieved reports of the Athenian expedition? What does this suggest about information and credibility in ancient warfare?
- Compare the confident, ceremonial Athenian departure with Syracuse's skeptical response. How does Thucydides use this contrast to create dramatic irony?
- What role does Hermocrates play as a 'Cassandra figure' warning of approaching danger? How do societies typically respond to such warnings?