What was the Sicilian disaster of 415?
The Sicilian Expedition was an Athenian expedition to Sicily from 415 BC to 413 BC, (during the Peloponnesian War). A disaster because it failed miserably and cost the Athenian Forces many lives and ships. Here’s how: The expedition was hampered from the outset by uncertainty in its purpose and its command structure. Political maneuvering in Athens swelled a lightweight force of twenty ships into a massive armada. And the expedition’s primary proponent, Alcibiades, was recalled from command to stand trial before the fleet even reached Sicily—but it still achieved early successes. Syracuse, the most powerful state on Sicily, responded exceptionally slowly to the Athenian threat, and as a result was almost completely invested before the arrival of a Spartan general, Gylippus, galvanized its inhabitants into action. From that point forward, however, as the Athenians ceded the initiative to their newly energized opponents and the tide of the conflict shifted. A massive reinforcing armada f
