Expedition to Disaster : The Athenian Mission to Sicily 415 BC

The Athenian expedition to conquer Sicily was one of the pivotal events of the classical period. At this time (415 BC), Athens was locked in a decades-long struggle with Sparta for mastery of the Greek world. The expedition to Sicily was intended to give Athens the extra money and resources to crush the Spartans. New archaeological discoveries allow the ensuing siege to be reconstructed in greater detail than ever before. The cast of characters includes Alcibiades, the flamboyant, charismatic young aristocrat; Nicias, the aging, reluctant commander of the ill-fated expedition and Gylippus, the grim Spartan general sent to mastermind the defense of Syracuse. It was he who stopped the Athenians dead in their tracks within weeks of his arrival, then turned the tables on the invaders. The Athenians were in their turn surrounded, besieged, and forced to ask for mercy from a man who had none to give. In short, we have an epic story packed with colorful characters and dramatic episodes. There are battles on land and sea, siege and counter-siege and tales of self-sacrifice, villainy and heroism. Yet there is also the overarching unifying theme which is the story of the expedition itself. Philip Matyszak's combination of thorough research and gripping narrative makes him the perfect man to do justice to this famous story.REVIEWS a riveting account of the conflict, telling of the key players their motivations, their heroism, their failure, providing an educating narrative that does much to bring much understanding to people of the times is a must for history collections focusing on the Greeks and their military endeavors. Midwest Book Review" The Athenian Expedition To Conquer Sicily Was One Of The Pivotal Events Of The Classical Period. At This Time (415 Bc), Athens Was Locked In A Decades-long Struggle With Sparta For Mastery Of The Greek World. The Expedition To Sicily Was Intended To Give Athens The Extra Money And Resources To Crush The Spartans. New Archaeological Discoveries Allow The Ensuing Siege To Be Reconstructed In Greater Detail Than Ever Before. The Cast Of Characters Includes Alcibiades, The Flamboyant, Charismatic Young Aristocrat; Nicias, The Aging, Reluctant Commander Of The Ill-fated Expedition And Gylippus, The Grim Spartan General Sent To Mastermind The Defense Of Syracuse. It Was He Who Stopped The Athenians Dead In Their Tracks Within Weeks Of His Arrival, Then Turned The Tables On The Invaders. The Athenians Were In Their Turn Surrounded, Besieged, And Forced To Ask For Mercy From A Man Who Had None To Give. In Short, We Have An Epic Story Packed With Colorful Characters And Dramatic Episodes. There Are Battles On Land And Sea, Siege And Counter-siege And Tales Of Self-sacrifice, Villainy And Heroism. Yet There Is Also The Overarching Unifying Theme Which Is The Story Of The Expedition Itself. Philip Matyszak's Combination Of Thorough Research And Gripping Narrative Makes Him The Perfect Man To Do Justice To This Famous Story--publisher Description. Philip Matyszak. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 163-164) And Index. Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents List of Plates Introduction Chapter 1 -- Events Leading to a Very Warm Cold War The Persian wars -- where it all began The Delian League The Athenian empire is born The world according to Pericles 430 BC: war! Pylos 425 BC Chapter 2 -- From Melos to Sicily Alcibiades Mantinea 418 BC Melos 416 The dialogue Sicily up to 415 BC Sicily at war Chapter 3 -- Travel Plans Nicias Debate Preparations The silence of the herms Launch day Chapter 4 -- The Athenians are Coming! The debate Preparations The coalition that wasn't. Meanwhile, back in Athens ... Chapter 5 -- The Gloves Come Off Prelude to battle The Battle of the Olympieum Taking stock Chapter Six -- The Siege of Syracuse The power of persuasion Diplomats abroad Spring 414 BC Nemesis gets to work Chapter 7 -- A Little Local Difficulty Gylippus Gylippus takes charge A letter from Nicias The not-very-fleet fleet A winter of preparations Chapter 8 -- The War Goes to Sea Decelea Naval action War of attrition Fighting in the harbour Chapter 9 -- The Final Phase Ill met by moonlight Deliberations after a defeat The fatal eclipse. The decisive battleChapter 10 -- The End Retreat from the Acrean Cliff The last stand(s) The prisoners Aftermath Sicily Conclusion Notes Select Bibliography Index. The Athenian expedition to conquer Sicily was one of the pivotal events of the classical period. At this time (415 BC), Athens was locked in a decades-long struggle with Sparta for mastery of the Greek world. The expedition to Sicily was intended to give Athens the extra money and resources to crush the Spartans. New archaeological discoveries allow the ensuing siege to be reconstructed in greater detail than ever before. The cast of characters includes Alcibiades, the flamboyant, charismatic young aristocrat; Nicias, the aging, reluctant commander of the ill-fated expedition and Gylippus, the.;Title Page; Copyright Page; Table of Contents; List of Plates; Introduction; Chapter 1 -- Events Leading to a Very Warm Cold War; The Persian wars -- where it all began; The Delian League; The Athenian empire is born; The world according to Pericles; 430 BC: war!; Pylos 425 BC; Chapter 2 -- From Melos to Sicily; Alcibiades; Mantinea 418 BC; Melos 416; The dialogue; Sicily up to 415 BC; Sicily at war; Chapter 3 -- Travel Plans; Nicias; Debate; Preparations; The silence of the herms; Launch day; Chapter 4 -- The Athenians are Coming!; The debate; Preparations; The coalition that wasn't. This thrillingly vivid history recounts a pivotal battle of the Peloponnesian War, bringing the drama and personalities of the Sicilian Expedition to life. The Athenian expedition to conquer Sicily was one of the most significant military events of the classical period. At the time, Athens was locked in a decades-long struggle with Sparta for mastery of the Greek world. The expedition to Sicily was intended to win Athens the extra money and resources needed to crush the Spartans. With the aid of new archaeological discoveries, Expedition to Disaster reconstructs the mission, and the ensuing siege, in greater detail than ever before. The cast of characters includes Alcibiades, the flamboyant, charismatic young aristocrat; Nicias, the ageing, reluctant commander of the ill-fated expedition, and Gylippus, the grim Spartan general sent to command the defense of Syracuse. It was he who turned the tables on the Athenian invaders. They were surrounded, besieged, and forced to ask for mercy from a man who had none. Philip Matyszak's combination of thorough research and gripping narrative presents an episode of ancient history packed with colorful characters and dramatic tension.