The Sicilian Expedition (415-413 BC): An Overview

The Sicilian Expedition (415- 413 BC): An Overview
1. Background Athens sought a reason to invade Sicily for its abundance of grain and other resources, but in initial Sicilian wars they were not presented with an opportunity. When the polis of Segesta went to war with the other Sicilian polis of Selinus, Athens was afforded an opportunity to attack not only Selinus, but also to invade and conquer Syracuse and the rest of Sicily. To encourage the Athenians to enter the war on their side, which at the time was losing their war, the Segestians offered to finance the expedition and managed to convince the Athenians they had the wealth to do so (Thuc. 6.8).
2. Politics and Preparations The debate in the Athenian assembly was split between those who favored peace and those who favored war. Nicias, appointed as a general for the expedition,
There the expedition was broken into three parts, each controlled by one of the three generals. The Athenian expedition consisted of; 134 triremes (100 Athenian), 5,100 hoplites (2,200 Athenian), 480 archers, 700 slingers, 120 assorted light troops, 30 cavalry, 130 other various ships and ships crews and noncombatants (Thuc. 6.43). Three ships were sent ahead to Italy to search for allies, later to return empty handed and to tell of Segesta’s financial trickery (Thuc. 6.46). Niches then suggested a show of force in Sicily and returning to Athens. Alcibiades suggested encouraging revolts against Syracuse, then attacking the polis itself. Lamachus again wanted to attack Syracuse immediately, but again sided with Alcibiades (Thuc. 6.46-50). The fleet sailed on to Catana, where Alcibiades was met by a ship from Athens and put under arrest. He took a ship and promised to return to Athens, but defected to the Spartans instead (Thuc. 6.46). Finally, the Athenian expedition linked up with the Segestan troops and wintered in