Nicias

For the Indo-Greek king, see Nicias

Nicias' expeditions, before the Sicilian campaign.

Nicias or Nikias (470-413 BC) was a statesman and a Strategos, in Ancient Athens.

Nicias was a member of the Athenian upper class because, from his father, he had inherited a large fortune, which was invested by Nicias, into the silver mines at Attica's Mt. Laurium. However, Nicias' family hadn't been patrician.

By reason of his wealth, Nicias was naturally integrated into the aristocratic party, from which he did all his politics. After Pericles' death, in 429 BC, Nicias became this party's leader, rivaling Cleon 's popular party.

In 421 BC, Nicias was Peace of Nicias' sole agent, bringing Athens into peace with the belligerent Sparta, after ten years of ferocious Peloponnesian War. Then, for limited time, all Athenians believed that Nicias had been their savior until, imposing his own plans, the so controversial aristocrat Alcibiades decided restarting the war.

His Fortune

Nicias inherited from his father Niceratus a considerable fortune invested mainly in the silver mines of Laurium. At these mines, Nicias had 1000 slaves, who were hired out. Nicias' large fortune was entirely due to the mines.

However, Nicias was easily intimidated, consequently Nicias was forced to turn over portions of his fortune. Although many individuals were in genuine need,others were simply aggressive thugs who through malicious threats scared Nicias into giving them money. Many epoch poets reflected such pusillanimous attitude.^[1]

His politics

Nicias didn't have noble ancestors^[2] although, naturally, he gravitated toward the aristocratic party. Particularly, Nicias began being publicly known whilst Pericles was in the Athenian government. Right after Pericles' death, in 429 BC, Nicias became the foremost Athenian politician, as the aristocratic party's leader. Thus, Nicias confronted Cleon's popular party.^[3]

Indeed, the lower Athenian class began supporting Nicias since Cleon, who had once been a great poor people's defender, was both too greedy and arrogant. The Athenians respected Nicias' complicated personality because, generally, they were respectfully treated. Other favorable point was that, usually, the corrupt demagogues spoke against Nicias.^[4]

Logically, to gain popular support, Nicias could resort neither to charisma nor to eloquence. Instead, Nicias gained popular favor, spending his wealth:

• He supplied choruses to theaters.
• Lavishly, he organized sporting events.
• He erected Athena's statue, which was adorned with gold.
• He patched Dionysus' temple, at which he had been an awarded choragus.^[5]

Among his most memorable events, Delos' festival was. Nicias built a boat bridge, between Delos and Rhenea islands. The ships were ornamented, with garlands, gilding, and rich tapestry, whereas a richly dressed chorus passed over. Nicias gifted a 10,000 drachmas property so the Delians would continue celebrating further, praying always in his behalf. Such instructions were engraved onto a pillar.^[6]

His Military Profile

Nicias was Strategos, in both 427 BC and 425 BC. About these years, Nicias was afraid because the Athenians had so caustic use that their greatest military leaders had ended condemned by some reason. Consequently, he avoided engaging in any important military enterprise, as commander. Indeed, good fortune accompanied Nicias because, for years, he could dodge the worst Athenian misfortunes, which were either military or political.^[7]

On the other hand, Nicias achieved many military victories. However, such triumphs hid his complicated nature and the Athenian soldiers preferred other leaders, instead of him. An example was the popular Alcibiades, during the Sicilian Expedition. Also, Nicias avoided attributing any victory to his own actions, crediting them to good fortune instead, so the difficult Athenian public opinion may not go stirred by his fame. Accordingly with his personality, in the field, Nicias was an extremely cautious leader and Plutarch states that "Nicias declined all difficult and lengthy enterprises; if he took a command, he was for doing what was safe." However, Plutarch wrote that, on the battlefield, Nicias was recognized as a fair combatant, fighting as courageously as any other soldier.^[8]

Capturing Minoa (426 BC)

In 426 BC, Nicias invaded Minoa Island, which was right in front of Nisaea port. He intended blockading Megara closely for it was allied with Sparta. Nicias destroyed the enemy's garrison, from the sea, and then he launched an amphibious attack. He spent few days building a wall, on the near mainland, and garrisoning Minoa.^[9]

Raiding Greek Mainland (425 BC)

In 425 BC, 60 ships were commended to Nicias. Initially, he attempted subduing Melos island, which was completely independent from the Athenian Empire. Nicias defeated the local forces but, still, Melos refused joining Athens.^[10]

Subsequently, Nicias shored in Oropus, northern Attica. His army joined many other Athenian squads and, together, they wrought havoc around Tanagra. Also, they defeated Theban forces, which arrived subsequently.^[11]

Then, Nicias sailed toward Locris, harassing its coast too.^[12]

Struggling about Pylos (424 BC)

By General Demosthenes --who wasn't the statesman--, Athens could garrison Pylos but 400 Spartan soldiers remained at the frontal Sphacteria island. Most Athenian wanted to capture them. However, at Sphacteria, the blockading Athenian forces were under harsh geographical conditions so they couldn't resolve the battle.^[13][14]

In 424 BC, in the Athenian Assembly, Cleon ranted excessively about how he, as general, would be able to easily capture the entire Spartan force, even though his military skills were looked down on by his peers. The assemblymen began murmuring and Nicias offered, teasingly, to transfer his own rank of General to Cleon so he may take all necessary troops to Sphacteria. Cleon, who was considered a mediocre leader, was forced to accept the seemingly difficult challenge. However, Cleon succeeded in capturing the Spartan garrison, dealing a severe blow to Nicias' position.^[15]

Throughout Northeastern Peloponnesus (424 BC)

Then, also in 424 BC, Nicias sailed 80 warships with 1,200 soldiers, toward Corinth. The expedition disembarked in Solygeia. The aware Corinthians awaited him, almost with their entire army, but Nicias defeated the defenders.^[16]

The enemy was about being further reinforced so Nicias embarked again, fleeing. However, Nicias discovered that two Athenian corpses had been forgotten behind so he claimed these formally to Corinth, by a herald. Nicias didn't care that, accordingly with the Greek tradition, Athens lost the battle for it was believed that the battlefield ended owned by the victorious side, which has the left cadavers.^[17]

Nicias disembarked at Crommyon, in northern Corinth. During a night, he struck the region. Then, he sailed southward, to Methana's peninsula. There, Nicias erected a wall on the isthmus and he garrisoned the peninsula, which became an Athenian stronghold.^[18]

Invading Kythira (BC 423)

In 423 BC, together with other two commanders, Nicias led the expedition to capture Kythira. This island was the main defense, for all Laconia's sea routes. The Athenian expedition comprised 60 battleships and 2,000 soldiers. The Athenians could capture Kythira city because Nicias negotiated so no citizen would be expelled. The island was captured and garrisoned, by Athens. For the next week, the Athenian forces laid waste, throughout Laconia gulf's shore.^[19]

Attacking Chalkidiki (422 BC)

In 422 BC, with other commander, Nicias led the assault against both Mende and Scione, at Chalkidiki. The expedition was composed of 50 ships and 1,700 soldiers. Nicias landed in Potidaea. The enemy was assisted by some Peloponnesian forces. After some bitter confrontations, at which Nicias was wounded even, both cities surrendered. The region was further plundered whereas much inhabitant was massacred for retaliation.^[20]

Then, the Macedonian King Perdiccas II inked peace with Athens and Nicias demanded proof of this. Consequently, Perdiccas II reacted against the Peloponnesian forces, which were at Thessaly.^[21]

Peace of Nicias

Main article: Peace of Nicias

After fighting for a decade in the Peloponnesian War, both Athens and Sparta were exhausted. After the two generals who were opposing peace, the Athenian Cleon and the Spartan Brasidas, were slain in battle, Nicias decided actuating the Athenians for peace. Also, he spoke with the Spartans and, particularly, they listened after Nicias restored the prisoners, who had been captured at Pylos. These prisoners had important families, who were members of the Spartan aristocracy.^[22][23]

Nicias obtained a 1 year truce and, subsequently, a definitive peace was inked, in 421 BC. The Peace of Nicias stipulated that both sides should restore territories and cities, to their original owners. By bribery, Nicias got that Sparta had to return firstly.^[24]

Athens celebrated. People said that the war had been Pericles' contemptible mistake, submerging Athens in misery. Instead, Nicias was the saviour, having persuaded all for peace.^[25]

As, feeling dissatisfied, both Corinth and Boeotia menaced to restart the war, Nicias convinced Sparta, forming an alliance against any potential enemy.^[26]

Against Alcibiades

At the same time, Alcibiades was a rising Athenian politician, who had been opposing peace. Particularly, Alcibiades --who had a wild personality-- was jealous because he resulted ignored whilst, instead, the entire peace affair was strengthening Nicias' political stand up. When some Athenians began distrusting Sparta, Alcibiades launched an open campaign for war. His first move was convincing Argos to form an alliance.^[27]

However, as Alcibiades couldn't do enough politically, he decided maliciously to trick Nicias. Coincidently, on a same day, both Sparta and Argos had ambassadors at Athens, to speak before both Athenian chambers. Alcibiades convinced the Spartan representatives, who had arrived with their best intentions, that he would defend their issues personally if they may lie to the Athenian Assembly, about their diplomatic powers. During the session, the diplomats did so but, then, Alcibiades claimed that such foreign prevaricators shouldn't be listened. Nicias could do nothing to escape such embarrassment whilst the furious assemblymen began calling the Argive ambassadors so both nations may ally, renewing the war. However, the session was interrupted after a small earthquake happened.^[28][29]

During the pause, Nicias regained some political force and, in the next session, he could convince the assemblymen and the peace was maintained. Then, Nicias said that he would travel to Sparta, in a diplomatic mission, to resolve some pending issues. At Sparta, Nicias was treated as a friend, by his well known decisions. However, Spartan politicians had already been negotiating an alliance with Boeotia so Nicias' proposals weren't heard further. The politically devastated Nicias returned to Athens although no particular retaliation happened against him. Instead, Alcibiades was immediately appointed general and he tied Athens, Argos, Elis, and Mantinea, into an alliance against Sparta. Additionally, naval forces were sent to Pylos, to plunder the enemy's coasts. By these actions, the war restarted.^[30]

Ostracizing Hyperbolus

Between Nicias and Alcibiades, the duel was so bitter that people decided that one had to end ostracized. Indeed, as both were politicians of great caliber, all Athenians followed the process attentively. Beside the war issue, Nicias was more disliked for he was deemed as an aristocrat, whose policies were unpopular. However, it was clear that the controversial Hyperbolus would occupy the political vacancy, which would be left by the ostracized politician. Before this might happen, Nicias and Alcibiades decided setting the dispute aside and they conjoined forces, to ostracize the venturing Hyperbolus, in 417 BC.^[31] By this hidden maneuver, the Athenians were so angered that the ostracism was never used again.^[32]

The Sicilian Expedition

• Main article: Sicilian Expedition

Some Sicilian cities requested military support to Athens, against Syracuse. Nicias rejected the idea. However, this awoke Alcibiades' desire to conquer the entire island. He dreamed that Sicily might become a giant Athenian garrison, by which Athens would conquer the entire Mediterranean. Soon, the public opinion supported this idea enthusiastically whereas, in Athens, Nicias was the only opposition, to it. Indeed, after Nicias was again appointed Strategos, together with Alcibiades and Lamachus in 416 BC, to command the expedition, Nicias addressed the Athenian assembly critically. He denounced that the infeasible campaign would serve only to Alcibiades' prestige. Then, Demostratus countered that he would end such cry and he proposed that, at Sicily, all expeditionary generals may have unlimited power. The Assembly approved this.^[33]

Nicias and Lamachus had been appointed only to compensate Alcibiades' command. People feared Alcibiades' often irresponsible behavior, which included sacrilegious parties, although the soldiers were fanatic to him. However, Nicias was more powerful than Lamachus, who was disreputable by his extreme poverty.^[34]

In 415 BC, the expedition departed. Arriving to Catana, Sicily, the three commanders had different plans. Even worst, Nicias was submerged in melancholia and, so, he inflicted sad feelings on the optimistic expedition. Alcibiades was soon arrested under severe profanation charges and he was brought back to Athens.^[35]

The uninterested Nicias froze the expedition by not conductive actions, which disheartened the soldiers. By this situation, the Syracusans recovered their optimism. Nicias didn't react until some Syracusan horsemen arrived to the Athenian camp, mocking the troops. Then, he launched an amphibious attack, invading Syracuse temporarily, but he left the city, moving northward again.^[36]

Suffering a kidney disease, Nicias decided capturing Syracuse definitively. He began erecting a large wall around and Lamachus was killed defending it. Most Sicilian cities pledged loyalty to Nicias so the optimistic troops were oversupplied. Even, the Syracusans proposed peace but Nicias rejected it.^[37]

However, by Alcibiades' vengeful suggestion, --surprisingly-- Sparta sent military reinforcements, which were led by Gylippus. Erroneously, Nicias despised this event and, after shoring in Messina, Gylippus entered into Syracuse, without opposition. Even, the too confident Nicias released 300 Syracusan prisoners, who rushed into their city.^[38]

Though, Gylippus defeated Nicias, capturing much construction material, which was used to build a counter wall, which circumvented the Athenian one. Also, the Athenians became enclosed, by land and sea, whilst Gylippus toured Sicily, turning all cities against Athens. The despaired Nicias requested help to Athens and, also, he demanded his own replacement, by his disease. Demosthenes was about arriving, to aid Nicias, when Gylippus began besieging Plemmyrium fort, by which Nicias received all supplies.^[39]

The three commanders who were at Sicily, Nicias, Demosthenes and Eurymedon, were appointed Strategos, in 413 BC. Demosthenes arrived with 5,000 soldiers. Nicias suggested to besiege Syracuse until the enemy might give up. Demosthenes disdained the idea and he rushed against the city. During a confusing night, Gylippus overcame the attack, turning the circumstances. 2,000 Athenians were slain whereas few could return to the camp. Nicias blamed the defeat to Demosthenes, who admitted his error. Also, Nicias refused fleeing back to Athens. He explained that he preferred to be killed by the enemy, instead of being killed by the Athenians, who would condemn him by the defeat.^[40]

However, malaria struck the Athenian camp whereas more Spartan reinforcements arrived. Then, Nicias ordered to embark home. The Athenian fleet was ready to do so when Nicias was terrified by a lunar eclipse, on August 27, 413 BC^[41] , so he ordered to wait for an entire moon circuit. Nicias was attending his religious rituals when Gylippus struck, capturing the harbor. With 110 triremes, Nicias launched a hopeless counterattack, to recapture the 200 anchored ships, which were full of Athenian soldiers, but he was utterly defeated. Eurymedon was slain in this battle.^[42]

His Fatal Ending

Plains, passes, rivers, and bridges were quickly obstructed by Gylippus. To flee afoot, the Athenians divided in two groups, which were respectively commanded by Nicias and Demosthenes. Being seriously ill, Nicias strove to keep his authority up, with optimistic speeches.^[43]

Eight days after, Demosthenes surrendered. Desperately, Nicias offered to Gylippus that he would compensate Sparta economically for the war if the Athenians might be able to return home but Gylippus spurned the offer. The starved Athenians marched for other day whilst the Spartans were shooting their darts continually at them. At Asinarus river, many soldiers were killed while they drank water. Then, Nicias surrendered, supplicating mercy cowardly,^[44] to Gylippus:

"Consider that the Athenians have dealt gently with your men when it was our victory hour".

Gylippus reasoned that, gloriously, he could bring such important prisoner to Sparta so he didn't kill Nicias and, also, he ordered that no other captured soldier should be executed. However, at Syracuse, the Spartans organized an assembly and it was decided that Nicias would be executed. After this happened, Nicias' corpse was left publicly exhibited, at Syracuse's gates. It was 413 BC.^[45]

How far it is just to attribute to his excessive caution and his blind faith in omens the disastrous failure it is difficult to say. So many chances for Athenian success were lost, but as always, one always views hindsight events in 20/20 vision. He was a man of conventional respectability and mechanical piety, without the originality which was required to meet the crisis which faced him. His popularity with the aristocratic party in Athens is, however, strikingly shown by the lament of Thucydides over his death: "He assuredly, among all Greeks of my time, least deserved to come to so extreme a pitch of ill-fortune, considering his exact performance of established duties to the divinity" (vii. 86, Crete's version).

Personality

Popularly, Nicias' personality was well known, and this was reflected in many contemporary comedies. Publicly, Nicias acted like being afraid, of other people. Further, Nicias suffered both despair and depression. Consequently, Nicias acted with much caution and deference. Indeed, these somehow courteous attitudes benefited Nicias' initial political image popularly although he was an aristocratic politician, who shared typical unpopular traits.^[46]

By his cautiousness, Nicias feared all rival's informers, who told people about his life, so, normally, he bought them. Also, Nicias cloistered his life, neither eating out nor talking much, even with friends. Accordingly, in the Athenian Assembly, Nicias was both the first arriver and the last leaver. As general, he stayed working in his War Office, until night.^[47][48]

During leisure hours, Nicias secluded home. Friends attended the visitors and they were told that Nicias was attending some important issue so he wouldn't receive anyone.^[49]

Also, Nicias was quite superstitious to the Athenian gods. Home, both he did religious sacrifices daily and he maintained a fortuneteller. To him, Nicias asked about political issues and his silver mines.^[50]

Trivia

• Nicias means "Victory," Nikê.^[51]

Notes

References

• This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.

Besides Thucydides see Plutarch's Nicias and Diod. xii. 83; also the general authorities on the history of Greece.

Nicias appears as a character in Plato's dialogue Laches, in which Socrates and others discuss the nature of courage without reaching any firm conclusions.

Nicias' silver mines are described by Xenophon, in both "On Revenues" and "The memorable thoughts of Socrates."

External links

• Livius, Nicias by Jona Lendering

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