Refighting the Peloponnesian War: The Athenian Disaster in Sicily
By Mike Fogarty*
This article argues that the Athenian disaster in Sicily was a consequence of three events. Firstly, the limitations of imperium coupled with hubris weakened Athens. Secondly, Nicias was ill-suited to lead the force. Thirdly, the failure of Athenian political and military leadership led to their catastrophic defeat. Barbara Tuchman styled that war as mismanagement due to “excessive ambition.”
