Nicias

Some Aegestean and Leontine ambassadors arrived in Athens, and urged the  people to fight against Sicily. Alcibiades encouraged this, and when Nicias started to appose this, he found that all the people had been persuaded subduly to do this. Everyone talked of it, and all the men drew maps of the surrounding area. Then Nicias tried and tried to alter public opinon, but he failed. He even ended up being made genral!! Alcibiades was another, and the third was Lamchus. The people felt that all three would combine to make a good team. Nicias could have been a good sport, and just done his best, but instead he moped, and would not do anything. This blunted the courage of his fellow commanders, and the spirit of the men. He spoiled all their chances, and ruined everything!

Nicias had an opportunity for a "defining moment,"but he did not take it. An old proverb says, Grasp Opportunity by the forelock, for it is bald behind. Nicias should have been a good sport, and just done his best. Then he would have had more honor than ever. But he lost it.

More later,
Bell