11-17-2003, 02:34 AM
I think in the discussion of Greek Military aims people are forgeting that the real aim of the Athenians was domestic political prestige. wars and military campaigns were used to bolster public opinion and once being elected to the generalship you only had one year to make your mark to get re-elected for the next year. Alcibiades campaign was surpposed to be a swift crushing blow ( Lots of Prestige ) as opposed to an invasion of southern Italy ( not much prestige there). IMHO Good military plan stuffed up by Athenian domestic machinations. <p></p><i></i>