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bridge fitted by measurement for the purpose； and magnificently
adorned with gilding and colouring； and with garlands and
tapestries： this he laid in the night over the channel betwixt
Rhenea and Delos； being no great distance。 And at break of day he
marched forth with all the procession to the god； and led the
chorus； sumptuously ornamented； and singing their hymns； along over
the bridge。 The sacrifices； the games； and the feast being over； he
set up a palm…tree of brass for a present to the god； and bought a
parcel of land with ten thousand drachmas which he consecrated； with
the revenue the inhabitants of Delos were to sacrifice and to feast；
and to pray the gods for many good things to Nicias。 This he
engraved on a pillar； which he left in Delos to be a record of his
bequest。 This same palm…tree； afterwards broken down by the wind； fell
on the great statue which the men of Naxos presented； and struck it to
the ground。
It is plain that much of this might be vainglory； and the mere
desire of popularity and applause； yet from other qualities and
carriages of the man one might believe all this cost and public
display to be the effect of devotion。 For he was one of those who
dreaded the divine powers extremely； and； as Thucydides tells us；
was much given to arts of divination。 In one of Pasiphon's
dialogues； it is stated that he daily sacrificed to the gods； and
keeping a diviner at his house； professed to be consulting always
about the commonwealth； but for the most part inquired about his own
private affairs； more especially concerning his silver mines； for he
owned many works at Laurium； of great value； but somewhat hazardous to
carry on。 He maintained there a multitude of slaves； and his wealth
consisted chiefly in silver。 Hence he had many hangers…on about him；
begging and obtaining。 For he gave to those who could do him
mischief no less than to those who deserved well。 In short； his
timidity was a revenue to rogues； and his humanity to honest men。 We
find testimony in the comic writers； as when Teleclides； speaking of
one of the professed informers； says…
〃Charicles gave the man a pound； the matter not to name；
That from inside a money…bag into the world he came；
And Nicias； also； paid him four； I know the reason well；
But Nicias is a worthy man； and so I will not tell。〃
So； also； the informer whom Eupolis introduces in his Maricas；
attacking a good； simple； poor man：…
〃How long ago did you and Nicias meet？
I did but see him just now in the street。
The man has seen him and denies it not；
'Tis evident that they are in a plot。
See you； O citizens！ 'tis fact；
Nicias is taken in the act。
Taken； Fools！ take so good a man
In aught that's wrong none will or can。〃
Cleon； in Aristophanes； makes it one of his threats：…
〃I'll outscream all the speakers； and make Nicias stand aghast。〃
Phrynichus also implies his want of spirit and his easiness to be
intimated in the verses…
〃A noble man he was； I well can say；
Nor walked like Nicias； cowering on his way。〃
So cautious was he of informers； and so reserved； that he never
would dine out with any citizen； nor allowed himself to indulge in
talk and conversation with his friends； nor give himself any leisure
for such amusements； but when he was general he used to stay at the
office till night； and was the first that came to the council…house；
and the last that left it。 And if no public business engaged him； it
was very hard to have access； or to speak with him； he being retired
at home and locked up。 And when any came to the door； some friend of
his gave them good words； and begged them to excuse him； Nicias was
very busy； as if affairs of state and public duties still kept him
occupied。 He who principally acted this part for him； and
contributed most to this state and show； was Hiero； a man educated
in Nicias's family； and instructed by him in letters and music。 He
professed to be the son of Dionysius； surnamed Chalcus； whose poems
are yet extant； and had led out the colony to Italy and founded
Thurii。 This Hiero transacted all his secrets for Nicias with the
diviners； and gave out to the people what a toilsome and miserable
life he led for the sake of the commonwealth。 〃He；〃 said Hiero； 〃can
never be either at the bath or at his meat but some public business
interferes。 Careless of his own and zealous for the public good； he
scarcely ever goes to bed till after others have had their first
sleep。 So that his health is impaired and his body out of order； nor
is he cheerful or affable with his friends； but loses them as well
as his money in the service of the state； while other men gain friends
by public speaking； enrich themselves； fare delicately and make
government their amusement。〃 And in fact this was Nicias's manner of
life； so that he well might apply to himself the words of Agamemnon：…
〃Vain pomp's the ruler of the life we live；
And a slave's service to the crowd we give。〃
He observed that the people； in the case of men of eloquence； or
of eminent parts； make use of their talents upon occasion； but were
always jealous of their abilities； and held a watchful eye upon
them； taking all opportunities to humble their pride and abate their
reputation； as was manifest in their condemnation of Pericles； their
banishment of Damon； their distrust of Antiphon the Rhamnusian； but
especially in the case of Paches who took Lesbos； who having to give
an account of his conduct； in the very court of justice unsheathed his
sword and slew himself。 Upon such considerations； Nicias declined
all difficult and lengthy enterprises； if he took a command； he was
for doing what was safe； and if； as thus was likely； he had for the
most part success； he did not attribute it to any wisdom； conduct；
or courage of his own； but； to avoid envy； he thanked fortune for all；
and gave the glory to the divine powers。 And the actions themselves
bore testimony in his favour； the city met at that time with several
considerable reverses； but he had not a hand in any of them。 The
Athenians were routed in Thrace by the Chalcidians； Calliades and
Xenophon commanding in chief。 Demosthenes was the general when they
were unfortunate in Aetolia。 At Delium they lost a thousand citizens
under the conduct of Hippocrates； the plague was principally laid to
the charge of Pericles； he； to carry on the war； having shut up
close together in the town the crowd of people from the country who；
by the change of place； and of their usual course of living； bred
the pestilence。 Nicias stood clear of all this； under his conduct
was taken Cythera； an island most commodious against Laconia； and
occupied by the Lacedaemonian settlers； many places； likewise； in
Thrace； which had revolted； were taken or won over by him； he shutting
up the Megarians within their town； seized upon the isle of Minoa； and
soon after； advancing from thence to Nisaea； made himself master
there； and then making a descent upon the Corinthian territory； fought
a successful battle； and slew a great