The fleet arrived prosperously at Korkyra. The land forces were more than doubled by Ionians and Korkyræans and others they found waiting for them there, all eager to take a part in the great invasion. Thirty-six triremes were added to the fleet. One hundred and thirty-six ships of all sorts rode proudly in the harbour when the three generals reviewed their troops. Everything was ready for a descent upon Sicily. The fleet was divided into three divisions, under the three commanders, and all set out for Italy.
At Rhegion the generals combined their forces and held a council. Nikias was of opinion they should sail to Selinous, force the inhabitants to do right to the Egestæans, make a demonstration before the chief Sicilian cities, victual the fleet, and return to Athens. Lamachos was for a very different course—sail straight for Syrakuse, land the troops hard by, destroy the forts, force the harbour, and while the fleet was attacking it by sea, march the troops upon the town and take it before it could recover from its surprise or put itself into a fit state of defence.
Alkibiades showed foresight as well as courage. He discerned the motives of the mean-souled Nikias, as well as the danger of his impulsive colleague’s plan. Nikias had opposed the enterprise from the beginning, and had prophesied its failure. He was now doing worse, for he was advocating a course which would make his prophecy come true, and had urged the adoption of that course with all his energy. Alkibiades wanted to be able to point to the effect of following his rival’s counsel.
‘What!’ said he, ‘take this vast fleet back again, that has cost the Athenians and their allies so much—take it back before we have done anything but make a vain show before the ports of Sicily! I should be ashamed to face my fellow-citizens. Besides, you must remember more than half our force is not Athenian; it has been furnished by allies. What will they say who have readily brought with us their contingents to rescue their friends and colonies from the clutches of the Syrakusans and the other domineering cities? My advice is to discover what trusty friends we have in Sicily, and endeavour to make others, so as to get a sure basis in the island, before delivering our main attack upon the front of the offending.
‘It is the part of a prudent general not to land his forces in an unknown country before he has discovered what the resources of the country are and what is the strength of the city he is going to assault, lest, if he should happen not to meet with complete success at first, he might find it difficult to feed his men, or to make a good retreat if that were necessary.
‘Were it not for these unforeseen but possible dangers, I should agree with our colleague Lamachos. But, on the whole, therefore, my proposal is that we first gain the goodwill of Messana, the nearest port, or, failing that, the goodwill of some other town, whence we can descend with both army and fleet on Syrakuse, after we have made our observations of the strong and weak points of that important city.’
Lamachos at once came round to this opinion, as every one else must have done who had any wisdom or any experience of practical warfare, or any knowledge of the port they were about to attack. He was a fine leader, was Lamachos, when a dash at the head of troops was wanted, but without prudence or firmness of conviction. The superior wisdom of his more gifted colleague, which was before long to mark him out as one of the greatest generals of any age, soon convinced him. Nikias then grudgingly gave way. His attitude was not one to inspire confidence in minds less hopeful than those of his two colleagues.
Alkibiades started at once for Messana in the Eros. No troops were allowed to enter the town. He went alone into the Assembly. But his fame had gone before him. He addressed the citizens, pressing them to join the Athenians and their allies, and pointing out the advantages they would gain by the help of such a force as he had brought from Greece.
The people were divided. Some were for joining the Athenians, others feared the fury of Syrakuse when the Greeks had gone away. The more wary answered they could not open their gates to an armed force on either side, but that the Athenians might, if they would, encamp in their territory away from the town, and buy what provisions they wanted at a reasonable rate. This was something gained. Alkibiades was not discouraged. He thanked the people, and before he left he managed to gain over a party amongst them, who engaged to open the gates to him whenever he should give the signal.
He hastened back to Rhegion, and with a portion of the fleet sailed south to Naxos, where he was cordially received, and obtained promise of help. He went on to Katané. There he was refused admission, and thinking it unwise to begin hostilities with the small force he had, or to make certain enemies of those who might be won by management, he went on towards Syrakuse.