Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 2.djvu/260

252 DECELEA. GYLIPPUS [vi I know the secrets of the Athenians, while I could only guess at yours. Remember the immense importance of your present decision, and do not hesitate to send an expedition to Sicily and Attica. By despatching a fraction of 3'our forces to co-operate in Sicily you may save great interests, and may overthrow the Athenian power once and for ever. And so henceforward you may dwell safely yourselves and be leaders of all Hellas, which will follow you, not upon compulsion, but from affection.' 93 Thus spoke Alcibiades : the Lacedaemonians, who had _., , , been intending to send an army against The Laceaaoiioiiiaiis ° jo determine to fortify De- Athens, but wcrc Still hesitating and celea mid to seiidCylip- looking about them, wcre greatly pus to Syracuse. strengthened in their resolution when they heard all these points urged by him who, as they thought, knew best. Accordingly they now turned their thoughts to the fortification of Decelea, and determined to send immediate assistance to the Syracusans. They appointed Gylippus the son of Cleandridas commander of the Syracusan forces, and desired him to co-operate with the Syracusan and Corinthian representatives, and send aid to Sicily in the speediest and most effective manner which the circumstances admitted. Whereupon he told the Corinthians to despatch immediately two ships to him at Asine, and to fit out as many more as they meant to send ; the latter were to be ready for sea when the season arrived. Coming to this understanding the envoys de- parted from Lacedaemon. About this time the trireme which the Athenian generals had despatched from Sicily for money and cavalry <* arrived at Athens. The Athenians, hearing their request, voted mone}' and a force of cavalry for the army. So the winter ended, and with it the seventeenth year in the Peloponnesian War of which Thucydides wrote the history. " Cp. i. 74 fin.