A source-book of ancient history - The Search For Mecca

CHAPTER XX
FROM THE SICILIAN EXPEDITION TO THE END
OF THE WAR
I. The Departure of the Expedition
The arma- About the middle of summer the expedition started for
for Corcyra. Sicily. Orders had been previously given to most of the
Thucydides allies, to the corn-ships, the smaller craft, and generally
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the vessels in attendance on the armament, that they
Aticient
should muster at Corcyra, whence the whole fleet was to
World, 226-g;
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Greece, 208- strike across the Ionian Gulf to the promontory of lapygia.
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Early in the morning of the day appointed for their departure,
the Athenians and such of their allies as had
already joined them went down to the Piraeus and began
to man the ships. The entire population of Athens accompanied
them, citizens and strangers alike. The citizens
came to take farewell, one of an acquaintance, another
of a kinsman, another of a son; the crowd as they
passed along were full of hope and full of tears; hope of
conquering Sicily, tears because they doubted whether
they would ever see their friends again, when they thought
of the long voyage on which they were sending them.
the moment of parting the danger was nearer; and terrors
which had never occurred to them when they were voting
the expedition now entered into their souls. Nevertheless
their spirits revived at the sight of the armament in
all its strength and of the abundant provision which they
had made. The strangers and the rest of the multitude
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