The crews were all composed
of picked men, attracted by the double rate of pay which was furnished
from the state exchequer; and in addition to this, the trierarchs
[Footnote: Citizens charged with the duty of equipping a trireme.]
paid special premiums to the petty officers and to the highest class
of rowers. The same spirit of emulation extended to the whole body of
Athenians enrolled in the army and fleet; every man felt that whatever
he spent on his own personal equipment was spent for the honour and
glory of Athens. And the effect produced on the public mind in Greece
was, in fact, prodigious: after all the ravages of the plague, and ten
years of exhausting warfare, Athens, it seemed, was stronger than
ever, and in the mere exuberance of energy was making this imposing
display of wealth and power. As to the ostensible object of the
expedition--the conquest of Sicily--few doubted that it must follow as
a matter of course.
The last farewell had been spoken, the troops were all embarked, and
the rowers sat ready at their oars. The trumpet sounded, commanding
silence, and the voice of the herald was heard, repeating a solemn
prayer, which was taken up by the whole multitude on sea and on shore,
while the captains and soldiers poured libations of wine from goblets
of silver and gold.
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