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NICIAS
？…413 B。C。
by Plutarch
translated by John Dryden
CRASSUS； in my opinion； may most properly be set against Nicias； and
the Parthian disaster compared with that in Sicily。 But here it will
be well for me to entreat the reader； in all courtesy； not to think
that I contend with Thucydides in matters so pathetically； vividly；
and eloquently； beyond all imitation； and even beyond himself；
expressed by him； nor to believe me guilty of the like folly with
Timaeus； who； hoping in his history to surpass Thucydides in art；
and to make Philistus appear a trifler and a novice； pushes on in
his descriptions； through all the battles； sea…fights； and public
speeches； in recording which they have been most successful； without
meriting so much as to be compared； in Pindar's phrase； to…
〃One that on his feet
Would with the Lydian cars compete。〃
He simply shows himself all along a half…lettered； childish writer； in
the words of Diphilus…
〃 …of wit obese；
O'erlarded with Sicilian grease。〃
Often he sinks to the very level of Xenarchus； telling us that he
thinks it ominous to the Athenians that their general； who had victory
in his name； was unwilling to take command in the expedition； and that
the defacing of the Hermae was a divine intimation that they should
suffer much in the war by Hermocrates； the son of Hermon； and；
moreover； how it was likely that Hercules should aid the Syracusans
for the sake of Proserpine； by whose means he took Cerberus； and
should be angry with the Athenians for protecting the Egesteans；
descended from Trojan ancestors； whose city he； for an injury of their
king Laomedon； had overthrown。 However； all these may be merely
other instances of the same happy taste that makes him correct the
diction of Philistus； and abuse Plato and Aristotle。 This sort of
contention and rivalry with others in matter of style； to my mind；
in any case； seems petty and pedantic； but when its objects are
works of inimitable excellence； it is absolutely senseless。 Such
actions in Nicias's life as Thucydides and Philistus have related；
since they cannot be passed by； illustrating as they do most
especially his character and temper； under his many and great
troubles； that I may not seem altogether negligent； I shall briefly
run over。 And such things as are not commonly known； and lie scattered
here and there in other men's writings； or are found amongst the old
monuments and archives； I shall endeavour to bring together； not
collecting mere useless pieces of learning； but adducing what may make
his disposition and habit of mind understood。
First of all； I would mention what Aristotle has said of Nicias；
that there had been three good citizens eminent above the rest for
their hereditary affection and love to the people； Nicias the son of
Niceratus； Thucydides the son of Melesias； and Theramenes the son of
Hagnon； but the last less than the others； for he had his dubious
extraction cast in his teeth； as a foreigner from Ceos； and his
inconstancy； which made him side sometimes with one party； sometimes
with another； in public life； and which obtained him the nickname of
the Buskin。
Thucydides came earlier； and； on the behalf of the nobility； was a
great opponent of the measures by which Pericles courted the favour of
the people。
Nicias was a younger man； yet was in some reputation even whilst
Pericles lived； so much so as to have been his colleague in the office
of general； and to have held command by himself more than once。 But on
the death of Pericles； he presently rose to the highest place； chiefly
by the favour of the rich and eminent citizens； who set him up for
their bulwark against the presumption and insolence of Cleon
nevertheless； he did not forfeit the good…will of the commonalty； who；
likewise； contributed to his advancement。 For though Cleon got great
influence by his exertions…
〃…to please
The old men； who trusted him to find them fees；〃
yet even those； for whose interest and to gain whose favour he
acted； nevertheless observing the avarice； the arrogance； and the
presumption of the man； many of them supported Nicias。 For his was not
that sort of gravity which is harsh and offensive； but he tempered
it with a certain caution and deference； winning upon the people； by
seeming afraid of them。 And being naturally diffident and unhopeful in
war； his good…fortune supplied his want of courage； and kept it from
being detected； as in all his commands he was constantly successful。
And his timorousness in civil life； and his extreme dread of accusers；
was thought very suitable in a citizen of a free state； and from the
people's good…will towards him； got him no small power over them； they
being fearful of all that despised them； but willing to promote one
who seemed to be afraid of them； the greatest compliment their betters
could pay them being not to contemn them。
Pericles； who by solid virtue and the pure force of argument ruled
the commonwealth； had stood in need of no disguises nor persuasions
with the people。 Nicias； inferior in these respects； used his
riches； of which he had abundance； to gain popularity。 Neither had
he the nimble wit of Cleon to win the Athenians to his purposes by
amusing them with bold jests； unprovided with such qualities； he
courted them with dramatic exhibitions； gymnastic games； and other
public shows； more sumptuous and more splendid than had been ever
known in his or in former ages。 Amongst his religious offerings； there
was extant； even in our days； the small figure of Minerva in the
citadel； having lost the gold that covered it； and a shrine in the
temple of Bacchus； under the tripods； that were presented by those who
won the prize in the shows or plays。 For at these he had often carried
off the prize； and never once failed。 We are told that on one of these
occasions； a slave of his appeared in the character of Bacchus； of a
beautiful person and noble stature； and with as yet no beard upon
his chin； and on the Athenians being pleased with the sight； and
applauding a long time； Nicias stood up； and said he could not in
piety keep as a slave one whose person had been consecrated to
represent a god。 And forthwith he set the young man free。 His
performances at Delos are； also； on record； as noble and magnificent
works of devotion。 For whereas the choruses which the cities sent to
sing hymns to the god were wont to arrive in no order； as it might
happen； and； being there met by a crowd of people crying out to them
to sing； in their hurry to begin； used to disembark confusedly；
putting on their garlands； and changing their dresses as they left the
ships； he； when he had to convoy the sacred company； disembarked the
chorus at Rhenea； together with the sacrifice； and other holy
appurtenances。 And having brought along with him from Athens a
bridge fitted by measurement for the purpose； and magnificently
adorned with gilding and colouring； and with gar