eagerness of the assembly for the expedition—order and unanimity in reference to the plan.—Excitement in the city among all classes—great increase in the scale on which the expedition was planned.—Large preparations made for the expedition.—Review of these preliminary proceedings to the Sicilian expedition.—Advice and influence of Nikias.—Advice and influence of Alkibiadês.—Athens believed herself entitled to be mistress of the islands as well as of the sea. 118-162 CHAPTER LVIII. FROM THE RESOLUTION OF THE ATHENIANS TO ATTACK SYRACUSE, DOWN TO THE FIRST WINTER AFTER THEIR ARRIVAL IN SICILY. Preparations for the expedition against Sicily—general enthusiasm and sanguine hopes at Athens.—Abundance in the Athenian treasury—display of wealth as well as of force in the armament.—Mutilation of the Hermæ at Athens. Numbers and sanctity of the Hermæ.—Violent excitement and religious alarm produced by the act at Athens.—The authors of the act unknown—but it was certainly done by design and conspiracy.—Various parties suspected—great probability beforehand that it would induce the Athenians to abandon or postpone the expedition.—The political enemies of Alkibiadês take advantage of the reigning excitement to try and ruin him.—Anxiety of the Athenians to detect and punish the conspirators—rewards offered for information.—Informations given in—commissioners of inquiry appointed.—First accusation of Alkibiadês, of having profaned and divulged the Eleusinian mysteries.—Violent speeches in the assembly against Alkibiadês unfavorably received.—He denies the charge and demands immediate trial—his demand is eluded by his enemies.—Departure of the armament from Peiræus—splendor and exciting character of the spectacle.—Solemnities of parting, on shipboard and on the water’s edge.—Full muster of the armament at Korkyra.—Progress to Rhegium—cold reception by the Italian cities.—Feeling at Syracuse as to the approaching armament—disposition to undervalue its magnitude, and even to question its intended coming.—Strenuous exhortations of Hermokratês, to be prepared.—Temper and parties in the Syracusan assembly.—Reply of Athenagoras, the popular orator.—Interposition of the stratêgi to moderate the violence of the debate.—Relative position of Athenagoras and other parties at Syracuse.—Pacific dispositions of Athenagoras.—His general denunciations against the oligarchical youth were well founded.—Active preparations at Syracuse on the approach of the Athenian armament.—Discouragement of the Athenians at Rhegium on learning the truth respecting the poverty of Egesta.—The Athenian generals discuss their plan of action—opinion of Nikias.—Opinion of Alkibiadês.—Opinion of Lamachus.—Superior discernment of Lamachus—plan of Alkibiadês preferred.—Alkibiadês at Messênê—Naxos joins the Athenians.