The Motives and Misfortunes of the Second Athenian Expedition to Sicily, 415 to 413 B.C.

In investigating the siege of Syracuse by the second Athenian expedition to Sicily, one must establish the Athenian's motives for undertaking such a large expedition, the nature and composition of the expedition itself, the political conflicts and compromises which from the outset reduced its chances of success, and Athen's ignorance of Sicilian affairs which led them to underestimate the strength of their enemies and overestimate the support they would receive from their allies. This essay …

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