HWC, The Peloponnesian War

http://www.idbsu.edu/courses/hy101/peloponn/12.htm

The Peloponnesian War - Page 12 of 17

Setbacks

Lamachus was killed in the fighting, leaving Nicias. Nicias was a lousy general - he procrastinated and hesitated, and his forces died off slowly. Opportunities presented themselves and he managed to fumble each of them. The army grew demoralized, for everyone understood that the key was a rapid victory. Of course, it didn't help that the chief architect of the plan had gone over to the enemy and its chief opponent was now in command.

Nicias presented situation as hopeless, expecting that the Athenian assembly, when it heard how poorly the expedition was proceeding, would order him to come home. Instead, Athens sent him 15,000 more men, under Demosthenes, creating thereby the largest army ever assembled in Greece.

Demosthenes was a dynamic general and tried an immediate offensive. But Syracuse was well defended and the attack failed. This attack was probably their best hope. When it failed, all the commanders began thinking of ways to withdraw the army safely.

History of Western Civilization

Dr.Ellis L. Knox
Boise State University
Last Revised 22 June 1995