Today's Passage
This passage contains a speech by Hermocrates, a Syracusan statesman, warning his fellow citizens about the approaching Athenian expedition to Sicily (415 BCE).
Crawley Translation (1910)
“Although I shall perhaps be no better believed than others have been when I speak upon the reality of the expedition, and although I know that those who either make or repeat statements thought not worthy of belief not only gain no converts but are thought fools for their pains, I shall certainly not be frightened into holding my tongue when the state is in danger, and when I am persuaded that I can speak with more authority on the matter than other persons. Much as you wonder at it, the Athenians nevertheless have set out against us with a large force, naval and military, professedly to help the Egestaeans and to restore Leontini, but really to conquer Sicily, and above all our city, which once gained, the rest, they think, will easily follow. Make up your minds, therefore, to see them speedily here, and see how you can best repel them with the means under your hand, and do be taken off your guard through despising the news, or neglect the common weal through disbelieving it. Meanwhile those who believe me need not be dismayed at the force or daring of the enemy. They will not be able to do us more hurt than we shall do them; nor is the greatness of their armament altogether without advantage to us. Indeed, the greater it is the better, with regard to the rest of the Siceliots, whom dismay will make more ready to join us; and if we defeat or drive them away, disappointed of the objects of their ambition (for I do not fear for a moment that they will get what they want), it will be a most glorious exploit for us, and in my judgment by no means an unlikely one. Few indeed have been the large armaments, either Hellenic or barbarian, that have gone far from home and been successful. They cannot be more numerous than the people of the country and their neighbours, all of whom fear leagues together; and if they miscarry for want of supplies in a foreign land, to those against whom their plans were laid none the less they leave renown, although they may themselves have been the main cause of their own discomfort. Thus these very Athenians rose by the defeat of the Mede, in a great measure due to accidental causes, from the mere fact that Athens had been the object of his attack; and this may very well be the case with us also.
Modern Translation
Though I may fare no better than previous speakers in convincing you about the expedition's reality, and though I'm aware that those who report or relay information deemed incredible not only fail to persuade but are dismissed as fools, I refuse to be intimidated into silence when our state faces danger and when I'm convinced I can address this matter with greater authority than others. However much it may astonish you, the Athenians have indeed launched a massive naval and military force against us. They claim to be supporting the Egestaeans and restoring Leontini, but their true aim is conquering Sicily—especially our city, believing that once Syracuse falls, the rest will easily submit. Therefore, prepare yourselves for their imminent arrival and consider how best to repel them with available resources. Don't let contempt for this news catch you unprepared, nor endanger our common welfare through disbelief. Those who trust my words shouldn't be intimidated by the enemy's strength or audacity. They cannot inflict more damage on us than we on them; indeed, their armament's very size works to our advantage. The larger their force, the better for us regarding other Sicilian cities, whose fear will drive them to our alliance. If we defeat them or force their withdrawal without achieving their ambitious goals (and I have no doubt we can), it will be our greatest triumph—and hardly an improbable one. History shows few large expeditions, whether Greek or foreign, have succeeded far from home. They cannot outnumber the combined local populations united by mutual fear; and when they fail due to supply shortages in foreign territory, they inadvertently glorify those they meant to conquer, despite being architects of their own downfall. The Athenians themselves rose to power through the Persian defeat—largely due to fortunate circumstances—simply because Athens was Xerxes' target. The same fortune may well favor us now.
Historical Context
This passage contains a speech by Hermocrates, a Syracusan statesman, warning his fellow citizens about the approaching Athenian expedition to Sicily (415 BCE). Speaking to a skeptical audience, he struggles to convince them that Athens has indeed launched a massive invasion force. The Sicilian Expedition represented Athens' most ambitious military undertaking during the Peloponnesian War, aimed at conquering Sicily and ultimately challenging Spartan power. Hermocrates emerges as the primary advocate for unified Sicilian resistance against Athenian imperialism. His speech demonstrates both the communication challenges in the ancient world and the psychological dynamics of confronting seemingly impossible threats. This moment marks a crucial turning point where Syracuse must decide whether to prepare for war or dismiss the warnings as alarmist.