Was Nicias responsible for Athens’ defeat in the Peloponnesian War?

Nicias was born around 470 BCE into a wealthy Athenian family. His father, Niceratus, had amassed considerable wealth through mining operations in the Laurium silver mines.

These riches provided Nicias with rare opportunities for a comprehensive education and entry into the political sphere of Athens.

In 461 BCE, when Nicias was still a young man, Athenian politics was dominated by figures like Cimon and Pericles. Most importantly, Cimon represented the conservative faction with which Nicias would later align himself. 

During his formative years, Nicias witnessed the political and social reforms of Pericles, who shifted Athens towards a more radical democracy.

This period also saw the beginning of the First Peloponnesian War (460-445 BCE), which was a conflict that would influence Nicias's later military career.

By the mid-450s BCE, Nicias began to emerge as a public figure who found success by leveraging his family's wealth to gain influence. 

Nicias first rose to prominence during the First Peloponnesian War, during which he served as a general in some of the most important clashes of the conflict.

In 427 BCE, Nicias led a successful campaign against the island of Minoa, capturing it from the Megarians. This victory helped secure the strategic approach to Athens.

In the following year, he commanded an expedition to the island of Melos, an operation that showcased his growing influence and strategic importance.

Then, in 425 BCE, he successfully captured the island of Cythera: an important strategic victory against Sparta. This operation targeted the Spartan coast and was a significant achievement as it disrupted Spartan communications and supply lines.

His cautious yet effective leadership style earned him the trust of the Athenian assembly and the conservative faction.

Also, this victory significantly benefited his public reputation as a competent military leader. 

Next, in 424 BCE, Nicias played a crucial role in the defense of Megara, successfully preventing its capture by Spartan forces.

Finally, in 422 BCE, Nicias took part in the ill-fated Battle of Amphipolis. Despite his efforts, the battle resulted in a significant defeat for Athens and the death of the prominent general Cleon.

This defeat, along with the death of the Spartan commander Brasidas, encouraged both sides to begin peace negotiations. 

During the next few months, Nicias focused more on political matters, and aligned himself with the more conservative and peace-seeking faction in Athens.

After a decade of devastating warfare, both city-states sought respite from the relentless hostilities. Nicias, known for his cautious nature, was entrusted with spearheading the Athenian efforts to secure this truce and, as a result, the treaty would be named after him.

During the negotiations, Nicias and his Spartan counterpart, Pleistoanax, worked meticulously to address the grievances of both sides. 

Initially, the treaty stipulated a 50-year peace and the return of captured territories. As a result, Athens regained the city of Amphipolis, while Sparta reclaimed Pylos and Cythera.

Key provisions included the release of prisoners and the return of captured lands to their original owners.

Approximately 120 Spartans, who had been captured at the Battle of Sphacteria in 425 BCE, were to be freed as part of this agreement.

The Peace of Nicias included a clause that both sides would honor their allies' existing territories and avoid future attacks.

This clause was intended to secure the positions of various allied city-states. However, some key allies, notably Corinth and Thebes, refused to sign the treaty. 

Despite their efforts, the peace was fragile from the outset. Within a year, several minor conflicts erupted, undermining the agreement.

However, for a brief period, the treaty brought a much-needed time of stability to the war-weary Greek world.

Unfortunately, underlying tensions and mutual distrust quickly undermined the agreement. For instance, in 419 BCE, the Battle of Mantinea involved multiple city-states and demonstrated the ongoing volatility.

By 418 BCE, hostilities resumed as allies on both sides violated the terms. Despite these breaches, Nicias continued to advocate for peace, believing it to be crucial for Athens's survival. 

In 416 BCE, the city-state of Egesta on the island of Sicily, who was an ally of Athens, appealed for military assistance against its rival Selinus, which was supported by Syracuse.

Egesta promised to fund the campaign, which appealed to Athenian interests by emphasizing the strategic and financial benefits.

Intrigued by the prospect, the Athenian assembly debated the proposal extensively. 

Leading the push for the expedition was Alcibiades, a charismatic and ambitious general who argued that conquering Sicily would provide Athens with a powerful base to launch further campaigns against the Peloponnesian League.

Alcibiades argued that defeating Syracuse and its allies would weaken Sparta's influence and strengthen Athenian dominance.

He even envisioned an expansion of Athenian power that could potentially include the entire western Mediterranean. 

In contrast, Nicias strongly opposed the campaign. He warned that Athens lacked the resources and manpower for such an ambitious endeavor, especially while still engaged in the Peloponnesian War.

Nicias argued that the expedition was incredibly risky and could overextend Athenian military capabilities.  

Despite Nicias’ warnings, the assembly, swayed by Alcibiades's arguments and the allure of potential gains, ultimately voted in favor of the expedition.

The Sicilian Expedition was launched in 415 BCE. In a shock move, Nicias, along with Alcibiades and Lamachus, were appointed as the three commanders of the invasion force.

They were placed in charge of 134 triremes and over 27,000 troops, including 5,100 hoplites, 1,300 archers and slingers, and 30 supply ships.

It was one of the largest military expeditions undertaken by Athens. 

However, shortly after their arrival, Alcibiades was recalled to face charges of impiety, leaving Nicias and Lamachus in command.

Early skirmishes on Sicily showed promise, but the siege of Syracuse was a disaster. In 414 BCE, Lamachus was killed in battle, leaving Nicias solely in charge.

Unfortunately, Nicias's cautious approach led to delays. This allowed the Syracusans to bolster their defenses and receive reinforcements from Sparta.

The situation deteriorated rapidly.  

By the summer of 413 BCE, the Athenian forces were in dire straits. An attempt to retreat by sea failed when the Spartan navy blockaded their escape route.

A subsequent attempt to flee overland ended in disaster, with most of the Athenian forces killed or captured. Sadly, Nicias fell seriously ill and was ultimately captured and executed by the Syracusans.

The failure of the Sicilian Expedition had devastating consequences for Athens. The massive loss of troops and resources severely weakened it and made it vulnerable to further Spartan attacks.

The subsequent Spartan victories and eventual Athenian surrender in 404 BCE can be traced back, in part, to the catastrophic failure in Sicily.