After
setting forth the facts of the case as stated above, Nicias insists
that one of two things must be done: either the army now lying before
Syracuse must be recalled to Athens, or the Athenians must send out a
second army, equal in strength to the first, and a general to relieve
him of his command.
At the conclusion of his despatch Nicias peevishly complains of the
exacting temper of the Athenians, and their readiness to blame anyone
but themselves if anything untoward occurred. Whatever may be the
truth of the general charge, it was most ill-timed and ungrateful in
his own case. Towards him, at least, the conduct of his fellow-
citizens was marked by an excess of generosity, amounting to actual
infatuation. Nothing is more remarkable than the unshaken confidence
of the Athenians in their feeble general, after hearing this terrible
indictment, drawn up by his own hand. They refused to accept his
resignation, and passed a decree that large reinforcements should be
sent to Sicily, with Demosthenes and Eurymedon as generals; and in the
meantime they appointed Menander and Euthydemus, two officers already
serving before Syracuse, to share with Nicias the burden of command.
Before the winter was ended Eurymedon started with ten ships for
Sicily, to announce that effectual help was coming; while Demosthenes
was charged with the duty of enlisting troops and organizing a fleet.
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