2011
be sad to dio er de pre
termediate part of Akheid
Afer the recensi dels
IT in securing the one
NICIAS
NICIAS.
be sad to dio er de pre
termediate part of Akheid
Afer the recensi dels
IT in securing the one
NICIAS
NICIAS.
William Smith - 1844 - Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities - b
4.
Erplanatio Symboli hulila sycophants.
This feature of his character was
ad comprtentes, together with six fragments of a few ridiculed by more than one comic poet of the day,
lines each.
The splendour with which he discharged the office
Nicetas, who was bishop of Trèves in the of choregus exceeded anything that had been seen
middle of the sixth century, does not fall within before. On one occasion, when charged with the
the limits of this work.
[W. R. ) conduct of the Theoria to Delos, he made a re-
NICEʻTAS (Nikótas), a physician, to whom is markable display of liis wealth and munificence.
addressed one of the letters of Theophylactus, To prevent the confusion which usually ensued
archbishop of Bulgaria (Ep. 55). He is there when the Chorus landed at Delos amidst the crowd
styled “ Physician to the King," and must have of spectators, he landed first at Rheneia ; and
lived in the eleventh century alter Christ. He is, having had a bridge prepared before he left Athens,
perhaps, the same person as the compiler of a col- it was thrown across the channel between Rheneia
lection of surgical treatises, who is supposed to and Delos, in the course of the night, and by day-
have lived at Constantinople at the end of the break it was ready, adorned in the most sump-
eleventh or the beginning of the twelfth century tuous manner with gilding and tapestry, for the
after Christ. It contains extracts from the works orderly procession of the Chorus. After the
of Hippocrates, Soranus, Rufus, Galen, Oribasius, ceremonies were over he consecrated a brazen palm
Paulus Aegineta, and other writers of less note; tree to Apollo, together with a piece of land, which
and is to be found in MS. in the Libraries at he purchased at the cost of 10,000 drachmae,
Paris (Codd. 2247, 2248), and Florence. Of the directing that the proceeds of it should be laid out
Laurentian MS. , which is very ancient and valu- | by the Delians ili sacrifices and feasts ; the only
able, a full account is given by Bandini in his condition which he annexed being, that they
Catal. Cod. Graec. Biblioth. Laurent. (vol. iii. p. 53, should pray for the blessing of the god upon the
&c. cod. 7), where he has also inserted a com- founder. His strong religious feeling was perhaps
plete list of the chapters contained in the volume, as much concerned in this dedication, as his desire
to the number of five hundred and eighteen. of popularity. It was told of him that he sacri-
A part of the contents of this MS. was published ficed every day, and even kept a soothsayer in his
at Florence, 1754 fol. by Antonio Cocchi, with house, that he might consult the will of the gods
the title : — “Graecorum Chirurgici Libri : Sorani not only about public affairs, but likewise respect-
unus de Fracturarum Signis, Oribasii duo de ing his own private fortunes. Aristophanes ridi-
Fractis et de Luzatis, e Collectione Nicetae,” | cules him rather severely in the Equites for his
&c. &c. The editor has added a Latin translation, timidity and superstition (l. 28, &c. , 80, 112, 358).
ard some valuable notes. The Commentary of The excessive dread which Nicias entertained of
Apollonius Citiensis on Hippocrates “De Articulis” informers led him to keep as much as possible in
was extracted from this collection. [APOLLONIUS, retirement. He made himself difficult of access ;
p. 215). (See Choulant's Handb. der Bücher and the few friends who were admitted to his pri-
kunde für die Aeltere Medicin; Dietz's Preface to vacy industriously spread the belief that he devoted
his Scholia in Hippocr. et Gal. ) (W. A. G. ] himself with such untiring zeal to the public inter-
NI'CIAS (Nixias), historical. 1. A native of ests, as to sacrifice enjoyment, sleep, and even
Gortyn, in Crete. He was connected with the health, in the service of the state. His character-
Athenians by the ties of proxenia, and it was at istic caution was the distinguishing feature of his
his request that the reinforcements sent to Phor- military career. He does not seem to have dis-
mion, when engaged on the west of Greece in B. c. played any very great ability, still less anything
429, were ordered to stop on their way at Crete, like genius, in the science of strategy ; but he was
to attack Cydonia (Thuc. i. 85. )
cautious and wary, and does not appear on a single
2. The father of Hagnon, the Athenian general. occasion to have been guilty of any act of remiss-
(Thuc. ii. 58. )
ness, unless it were in the siege of Syracuse.
3. One of the most celebrated of the Athenian Hence his military operations were almost inva-
generals engaged during the Peloponnesian war. riably successful. In B. C. 427 he led an expedi-
He was the son of Niceratus, from whom he tion against the island of Minoa, which lies in
inherited a large fortune, derived mainly from the front of Megara, and took it. (Thuc. iii. 51. )
silver mines at Laureium, of which he was a very in the following year he led an armament of sixty
large lessee, employing in them as many as 1000 triremes, with 2000 heavy-armed soldiers, against
slaves. (Xen. Mem. ii. 5. § 2, de Vect. 4. § 14 ; the island of Melos. He ravaged the island, but
Athen. vi. p. 272, e. ) His property was valued the town held out ; and the troops being needed
at 100 talents. (Lys. pro Arist. Bonis, p. 648. ) for an attack upon Tanagra, he withdrew, and,
From this cause, combined with his unambitious after ravaging the coast of Locris, returned home.
s bed and the
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## p. 1186 (#1202) ##########################################
1186
NICIAS.
NICIAS.
(Thuc. iii. 91 ; Diod. xii. 65. ). He was one of demand satisfaction with respect to the points on
the generals in B. c. 425, when the Spartans were which the Athenians felt themselves aggrieved.
shut up in Sphacterin. The amusing circumstances The Spartan government would not comply with
under which he commissioned his enemy, Cleon, their demands, and Nicias could only procure a
to reduce the island, have already been described fresh ratification of the existing treaties. ' On his
in the article Cleon (Vol. I. p. 797). In the same return the alliance with Argos was resolved on.
year Nicias led an expedition into the territory of (Thuc. v. 43, 46. )
Corinth. He defeated the Corinthians in battle, The dissensions between Nicias and Alcibiades
but, apprehending the arrival of reinforcements for now greatly increased, and the ostracism of one or
the enemy's troops, he re-embarked his forces. other began to be talked of. The demagogue
Two of the slain, however, having been left be- Hyperbolus strove to secure the banishment of
hind, whom the Athenians had not been able to one of them that he might have a better chance
nd at the time, Nicias resigned the honours of of making head against the other. But Nicins
victory for the purpose of recovering them, and sent and Alcibiades, perceiving his designs, united their
a herald to ask for their restoration. He then influence against their common enemy, and the
proceeded to Crommyon, where he ravaged thc ostracism fell on llyperbolus.
land, and then directed his course to the territory In B. C. 415, the Athenians resolved on sending
of Epidanrus. Having carried a wall across the their great expedition to Sicily, on the pretext of
isthmus connecting Methone with the main land, assisting the Segestacans and Leontines. Nicias,
and left a garrison in the place, he returned home. Alcibiades, and Lamachus were appointed to the
(Thuc. iv. 42–45 ; Diod. xii. 65. ) In B. C. 424, command. Nicias, who, besides that he disip-
with two colleagues, he led an expedition to proved of the expedition altogether, was in feeble
the coasts of Laconia and captured the island of health, did all that he could to divert the Athenians
Cythera, a success gained with the greater facility, from this course. He succeeded in getting the
as he had previously had negotiations with some question put again to the vote ; but even his re-
of the Cytherians. He stationed an Athenian presentations of the magnitude of the preparations
garrison in the island, and ravaged the coast of required did not produce the effect which he
Laconia for seven days. On his return he ravaged wished. On the contrary, the Athenians derived
the territory of Epidaurus in Laconia, and took from them grounds for still greater confidence ; and
Thyrea, where the Spartans had settled the Aegi. Nicias and the other generals were empowered to
netans after their expulsion from their own island. raise whatever forces they thought requisite. When
These Aeginetans having been conveyed to Athens the armament arrived at Rhegium, finding the
were put to death by the Athenians. (Thuc. iv. hopes which the Athenians had entertained with
54 ; Diod. I. c. ) In B. C. 423, Nicias and Nico- regard to the Segestaeans futile, in a conference of
stratus were sent with an army to Chalcidice to the generals Nicias proposed that they should call
check the movements of Brasidas. They obtained upon the Segestaeans to provide pay, if not for the
possession of Mende, and blockaded Scione ; while whole armament, at least for the amount of the
thus engaged they entered into an agreement with succours which they had requested, and that, if they
Perdiccas. Having finished the circumvallation, furnished these, the forces should stay till they had
of Scione, they returned home. (Thuc. iv. 130— brought the Selinuntines to terms, and then return
132. )
home, after coasting the island to display the power
The death of Cleon removed out of the way of of Athens. But the intermediate plan of Alcibiades
Nicias the only rival whose power was at all was finally adopted. After the recall of Alcibiades
commensurate with his own, and he now exerted Nicias found no difficulty in securing the concurrence
all his influence to bring about a peace. He had of Lamachus in his plans. From Catana, which
secured the gratitude of the Spartans by his had come over to the Athenians and been made
humane treatment of the prisoners taken at Sphac- their head-quarters, Nicias and Lamachus proceeded
teria, so that he found no difficulty in assuming with all their forces towards Segesta. On their
the character of mediator between the belligerent way they captured Hyccara. Nicias went himself
powers. The negotiations ended in the peace of to Segesta, but could only obtain thirty talents.
B. C. 421, which was called the peace of Nicias on On their return they seem to bave remained almost
account of the share which he had bad in bringing inactive for some time, but in the autumn they pre-
it about. (Thuc. v. 16, 19, 24, vii. 86. ) In con- pared to attack Syracuse. By a skilful stratagem
sequence of the opposition of the Boeotians, Corin- the Athenians without molestation took possession
thians, and others, and the hostile disposition of of a station near the Olympieum, by the barbour
Argos, this peace was soon followed by a treaty of of Syracuse. A battle took place the next day, in
defensive alliance between Athens and Sparta. which the Syracusans were defeated. But, being
According to Theophrastus, Nicias, by bribing in want of cavalry and money, the Athenians
the Spartan commissioners, contrived that Sparta sailed away, and for the first part of the winter
should take the oaths first. Grounds for dis- took up their station at Naxos. They were un-
satisfaction, however, speedily arose between successful in their endeavours to induce Camarina
the two states. The jealousy felt by the Athe- to join them, but secured the assistance of sereral
nians was industriously increased by Alcibiades, of the Sicel tribes. Even some Etruscan cities
at whose suggestion an embassy came from Argos promised aid, and envoys were sent to Carthage.
in B. C. 420, to propose an alliance. The Spartan From Naxos Nicias remored to Catana.
envoys who came to oppose it were entrapped by ditional supplies were sent from Athens, and arrived
Alcibiades into exhibiting an appearance of double at Catana in the spring (B. C. 414). Nicias now
dealing, and it required all the influence of Nicias made preparations for seizing Epipolae, in which he
to prevent the Athenians from at once concluding was successful ; and the circumvallation of Syracuse
an alliance with Argos. He induced them to send was immediately commenced. The work proceeded
him at the head of an embassy to Sparta to rapidly, and all attempts of the Syracusans to stop
Ad-
:
## p. 1187 (#1203) ##########################################
ICLAS
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IT in securing the one
NICIAS
NICIAS.
1187
it were defeated. In a battle which took place in | cision. The Syracusans now resolved to bring the
the marsh Lamachus was slain. It fortunately enemy to an engagement, and, after some successful
happened at this juncture that Nicias, who was skirmishing, in a decisive naval battle defeated the
afflicted with a painful disorder of the eyes, was Athenians, though a body of their land forces received
left upon Epipolac, and his presence prevented the an unimportant check. They were now masters of
Syracusans from succeeding in a bold attempt the harbour, and the Athenians were reduced to
which they made to gain possession of the heights the necessity of making a desperate effort to es
and destroy the Athenian works, The circumval- cape. Nicias exerted himself to the utmost to en-
lation was now nearly completed, and the doom of courage the men, but the Athenians were deci-
Syracuse seemed sealed, when Gylippus arrived in sively defeated, and could not even be induced to
Sicily (GYLIPPUS). Nicias, for the first time in attempt to force their way at day-break through
bis life probably, allowed his confidence of success the bar at the mouth of the harbour. They set
to render him remiss, and he neglected to prevent out on their retreat into the interior of Sicily.
Gylippus from making his way into Syracuse. lle Nicins, though bowed down by bodily as well as
seems now to have supposed that he should be un- mental sufferings, used all his arguments to cheer
able to stop the erection of a counter-wall on the men. For the details of the retreat the reader
Epipolae, and therefore abandoned the heights and is referred to Thucydides. Nicias and Demo-
established his army on the headland of Plemmy-sthenes, with the miserable remnant of the troops,
rium, where he erected three forts. His forces were compelled to surrender. Gylippus was desi-
were defeated in an attempt to hinder the completion rous of carrying Nicias to Sparta ; but those of the
of the counterwork of the Syracusans. Succours Syracusans with whom Nicias had opened a secret
were now called in by the Syracusans from all correspondence, fearing lest its betrayal should
quarters, and Nicias found himself obliged to send bring them into difficulties, eagerly urged that he
to Athens for reinforcements, as his ships were should be put to death. His execution draws the
becoming unsound, and their crews were rapidly following just remarks from Bishop Thirlwall
thinned by deaths and desertions. He requested (Hist. of Greece, vol. iii. p. 455): “ His death
at the same time that another commander might be filled up the measure of a singular destiny, by
sent to supply his place, as his disorder rendered him which the reputation he had acquired by his
pru-
unequal to the discharge of his duties. The Athe dence and fortune, his liberality and patriotism,
nians voted reinforcements, which were placed his strength as well as his weakness, all the good
under the command of Demosthenes and Eurymes and the bad qualities of his mind and character, his
don. But they would not allow Nicias to resign talents and judgment, as well as his credulity and
his command.
superstition, his premature timidity, his tardy cou-
Meantime, Gylippus induced the Syracusans to rage, his long-protracted wavering and his unsea-
try their fortune in a sea-fight. During the heat sonable resolution, contributed in nearly equal
of action he gained possession of the forts on degrees to his own ruin and to the fall of his
Plemmyrium. The sea-fight at first was against country. The historian deplores his undeserved
the Athenians ; but the confusion caused by the calamity; but the fate of the thousands whom he
arrival of the reinforcements to the Syracusans involved in his disasters was perhaps still more
from Corinth enabled the Athenians to attack them pitiable. " According to Pausanias (i 29. § 12),
at an advantage, and gain a victory. Other con- his name was omitted on a monument raised at
tests followed in the great harbour, and in a severe Athens to the memory of those who fell in Sicily,
engagement the Athenians were defeated with con- because be surrendered himself voluntarily. (Plut.
siderable loss. But at this moment the Athenian Nicias ; Diod. xii. 83, &c. ; Thuc. ri. and vii. ;
reinforcements arrived.
Thirlwall, Hist. of Greece, vol. iii. cc. 25 and 26. )
At the suggestion of Demosthenes, a bold at- 4. A herald of Philip, king of Macedonia, who
tempt was made in the night to recover Epipolae, was carried off from Macedonia, and kept ten
in which the Athenians, after being all but suc- months in custody at Athens. The letters of
cessful, were finally driven back with severe loss. which he was the bearer were publicly read at
Demosthenes now proposed to abandon the siege Athens. (Philippi Epist. in Dem. Op. p. 159, ed.
and return to Athens. To this Nicias would not Reiske).
consent. He professed to stand in dread of the 5. An Athenian, a relative of Apollodorus, who
Athenians at home, but he appears to have had brought a suit against Phormion, on whose behalf
reasons for believing that a party amongst the Demosthenes wrote the speech úpèp populwvos.
Syracusans taemselves were likely in no long time Nicias, Deinias, and Andromenes had induced Apol-
to facilitate the reduction of the city, and, at his lodorus to desist from a previous suit of the same
urgent instance, his colleagues consented to remain kind. Nicias and Apollodorus married sisters, the
for a little longer. But meantime fresh succours daughters of Deinias. Nicias was uncle to a man
arrived for the Syracusans ; sickness was making named Stephanus, by whom he was stripped of his
ravages among the Athenian troops, and at length property. (Dem. adv. Steph. p. 1122, ed. Reiske. )
Nicias himself saw the necessity of retreating. 6. An officer in the service of Alexander the
Secret orders were given that every thing should Great. After the capture of Sardes, he was ap-
be in readiness for departure, supplies were coun- pointed to collect the revenues of the province.
termanded, and nothing seemed likely to prevent (Arrian, i. 17. $ 8. )
their unmolested retreat, when an eclipse of the 7. A friend and relation of Mennaeus, and a
moon happened. The credulous superstition of general in the service of Ptolemaeus Philopator.
Nicias now led to the total destruction of the He was sent to oppose Antiochus and succour the
Athenian armament. The soothsayers interpreted city of Abila, but was defeated. (Polyb. v. 71. )
the event as an injunction from the gods that they 8. Praetor of the Achaean league in B. C. 207.
should not retreat before the next full moon, and (Liv. xxviii. 8. )
Nicias resoluteiy determined to abide by their de- 9. An officer in the service of Perseus, king of
4 6 2
»
pans From Cazane na
pre Atbetans and best made
cias and Larachas precedent
towards Santa Uste
recan Sias rect
only ehan thir
seem to bare
med LEDEN
, but in the artesan
ase. Bra stunda
i rclestaron took permis
Ormprum, br the benches
e took place the dert dor, i
were defeated. But very
and mones, the thermos
the first part of the city
at Vara The vote
Searcurs to inde lieu
red the assistance to pred
Ered some Etrusas de
arors were sent to take
remered to Catania
sent from Athens, and aniel
(BC. 414. JEST
seisung Epple
, I TECH
le crumralno
Senced. The sus prezentat
pts of the SITKILLES DE SANT
## p. 1188 (#1204) ##########################################
1188
NICIAS.
NICIAS.
names.
Macedonia. He seems to have been in command | 1. Against the dialtnt's of Philoponus. 2. Against
at Pella. When the fortunes of Perseus appeared Severus, the Eutychian. 3. Against the Pagans.
desperate, in a moment of bewilderment he gave He is not to be confounded with NicakAS.
directions to Nicias to throw his treasures into the (Cave, Hist. Lit. Sc. Ec. vol. i. p. 695; Fabric. Bibl.
sea, and to Andronicus to burn his fleet. The Graec. vol. X. p. 494. ) His writings are not
former executed the commands of the king, though extant.
(W. M. G. ]
a large part of the treasure was afterwards recovered. NI'CIAS (Nelas), the name of at least two
But Perseus, to get rid of the witnesses of such an physicians.
act of folly, had both Nicias and Andronicus put 1. The physician of Pyrrhus, king of Epeirus,
to death, B. C. 169. (Liv. xliv. 10. )
who, during his master's war with the Romans,
10. A native of Cos, who made himself tyrant went to C. Fabricius Luscinus, the consul, B. C.
for a short time. He was a contemporary of Strabo. 278, and offered for a certain reward to take off
(Strab. xiv. p. 658. )
(C. P. M. ] the king by poison. (Claud. Quadrigar, ap. Aul.
NI'CIAS (Nokias), literary. 1. Of Elein. To Gell. Nocl. Ait. iii. 8 ; Zonaras, Annul. vol. ii. p.
him some attributed the Bakxiká, a poem generally 48, cd Basel, 1557. ) Fabricius not only rejected
ascribed to Orpheus. (Fabric. Bibl. Gracc. vol. i. his base offer with indignation, but immediately
pp. 164, 172. )
sent him back to Pyrrhus with notice of his
2. A rhetorician of Syracuse, who, with Tisias, treachery, who, upon receiving the information, is
instructed Lycias, B. c. 443. (Suid. S. v. Avoias. ) said to have cried out, “ This is that Fabricius
Westermann (Gesch. der Griech. Bered. p. 38) whom it is harder to turn aside from justice and
suggests that the separate mention of a Syracusan honour than to divert the sun from its course. "
Nicias may have arisen from the confusion of (Eutrop. ii. 14. ) Zonaras adds (l. c. p. 50), that
For though many writers mention him the traitor was put to death, and his skin used to
along with Tisias, they seem to have all drawn cover the seat of a chair.
from one common source.
2. A native of Nicopolis, in the second century
3. A slave of Epicurus, manumitted along with after Christ, introduced by Plutarch in his Sym.
Mys and Lycon, B. c.
ad comprtentes, together with six fragments of a few ridiculed by more than one comic poet of the day,
lines each.
The splendour with which he discharged the office
Nicetas, who was bishop of Trèves in the of choregus exceeded anything that had been seen
middle of the sixth century, does not fall within before. On one occasion, when charged with the
the limits of this work.
[W. R. ) conduct of the Theoria to Delos, he made a re-
NICEʻTAS (Nikótas), a physician, to whom is markable display of liis wealth and munificence.
addressed one of the letters of Theophylactus, To prevent the confusion which usually ensued
archbishop of Bulgaria (Ep. 55). He is there when the Chorus landed at Delos amidst the crowd
styled “ Physician to the King," and must have of spectators, he landed first at Rheneia ; and
lived in the eleventh century alter Christ. He is, having had a bridge prepared before he left Athens,
perhaps, the same person as the compiler of a col- it was thrown across the channel between Rheneia
lection of surgical treatises, who is supposed to and Delos, in the course of the night, and by day-
have lived at Constantinople at the end of the break it was ready, adorned in the most sump-
eleventh or the beginning of the twelfth century tuous manner with gilding and tapestry, for the
after Christ. It contains extracts from the works orderly procession of the Chorus. After the
of Hippocrates, Soranus, Rufus, Galen, Oribasius, ceremonies were over he consecrated a brazen palm
Paulus Aegineta, and other writers of less note; tree to Apollo, together with a piece of land, which
and is to be found in MS. in the Libraries at he purchased at the cost of 10,000 drachmae,
Paris (Codd. 2247, 2248), and Florence. Of the directing that the proceeds of it should be laid out
Laurentian MS. , which is very ancient and valu- | by the Delians ili sacrifices and feasts ; the only
able, a full account is given by Bandini in his condition which he annexed being, that they
Catal. Cod. Graec. Biblioth. Laurent. (vol. iii. p. 53, should pray for the blessing of the god upon the
&c. cod. 7), where he has also inserted a com- founder. His strong religious feeling was perhaps
plete list of the chapters contained in the volume, as much concerned in this dedication, as his desire
to the number of five hundred and eighteen. of popularity. It was told of him that he sacri-
A part of the contents of this MS. was published ficed every day, and even kept a soothsayer in his
at Florence, 1754 fol. by Antonio Cocchi, with house, that he might consult the will of the gods
the title : — “Graecorum Chirurgici Libri : Sorani not only about public affairs, but likewise respect-
unus de Fracturarum Signis, Oribasii duo de ing his own private fortunes. Aristophanes ridi-
Fractis et de Luzatis, e Collectione Nicetae,” | cules him rather severely in the Equites for his
&c. &c. The editor has added a Latin translation, timidity and superstition (l. 28, &c. , 80, 112, 358).
ard some valuable notes. The Commentary of The excessive dread which Nicias entertained of
Apollonius Citiensis on Hippocrates “De Articulis” informers led him to keep as much as possible in
was extracted from this collection. [APOLLONIUS, retirement. He made himself difficult of access ;
p. 215). (See Choulant's Handb. der Bücher and the few friends who were admitted to his pri-
kunde für die Aeltere Medicin; Dietz's Preface to vacy industriously spread the belief that he devoted
his Scholia in Hippocr. et Gal. ) (W. A. G. ] himself with such untiring zeal to the public inter-
NI'CIAS (Nixias), historical. 1. A native of ests, as to sacrifice enjoyment, sleep, and even
Gortyn, in Crete. He was connected with the health, in the service of the state. His character-
Athenians by the ties of proxenia, and it was at istic caution was the distinguishing feature of his
his request that the reinforcements sent to Phor- military career. He does not seem to have dis-
mion, when engaged on the west of Greece in B. c. played any very great ability, still less anything
429, were ordered to stop on their way at Crete, like genius, in the science of strategy ; but he was
to attack Cydonia (Thuc. i. 85. )
cautious and wary, and does not appear on a single
2. The father of Hagnon, the Athenian general. occasion to have been guilty of any act of remiss-
(Thuc. ii. 58. )
ness, unless it were in the siege of Syracuse.
3. One of the most celebrated of the Athenian Hence his military operations were almost inva-
generals engaged during the Peloponnesian war. riably successful. In B. C. 427 he led an expedi-
He was the son of Niceratus, from whom he tion against the island of Minoa, which lies in
inherited a large fortune, derived mainly from the front of Megara, and took it. (Thuc. iii. 51. )
silver mines at Laureium, of which he was a very in the following year he led an armament of sixty
large lessee, employing in them as many as 1000 triremes, with 2000 heavy-armed soldiers, against
slaves. (Xen. Mem. ii. 5. § 2, de Vect. 4. § 14 ; the island of Melos. He ravaged the island, but
Athen. vi. p. 272, e. ) His property was valued the town held out ; and the troops being needed
at 100 talents. (Lys. pro Arist. Bonis, p. 648. ) for an attack upon Tanagra, he withdrew, and,
From this cause, combined with his unambitious after ravaging the coast of Locris, returned home.
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## p. 1186 (#1202) ##########################################
1186
NICIAS.
NICIAS.
(Thuc. iii. 91 ; Diod. xii. 65. ). He was one of demand satisfaction with respect to the points on
the generals in B. c. 425, when the Spartans were which the Athenians felt themselves aggrieved.
shut up in Sphacterin. The amusing circumstances The Spartan government would not comply with
under which he commissioned his enemy, Cleon, their demands, and Nicias could only procure a
to reduce the island, have already been described fresh ratification of the existing treaties. ' On his
in the article Cleon (Vol. I. p. 797). In the same return the alliance with Argos was resolved on.
year Nicias led an expedition into the territory of (Thuc. v. 43, 46. )
Corinth. He defeated the Corinthians in battle, The dissensions between Nicias and Alcibiades
but, apprehending the arrival of reinforcements for now greatly increased, and the ostracism of one or
the enemy's troops, he re-embarked his forces. other began to be talked of. The demagogue
Two of the slain, however, having been left be- Hyperbolus strove to secure the banishment of
hind, whom the Athenians had not been able to one of them that he might have a better chance
nd at the time, Nicias resigned the honours of of making head against the other. But Nicins
victory for the purpose of recovering them, and sent and Alcibiades, perceiving his designs, united their
a herald to ask for their restoration. He then influence against their common enemy, and the
proceeded to Crommyon, where he ravaged thc ostracism fell on llyperbolus.
land, and then directed his course to the territory In B. C. 415, the Athenians resolved on sending
of Epidanrus. Having carried a wall across the their great expedition to Sicily, on the pretext of
isthmus connecting Methone with the main land, assisting the Segestacans and Leontines. Nicias,
and left a garrison in the place, he returned home. Alcibiades, and Lamachus were appointed to the
(Thuc. iv. 42–45 ; Diod. xii. 65. ) In B. C. 424, command. Nicias, who, besides that he disip-
with two colleagues, he led an expedition to proved of the expedition altogether, was in feeble
the coasts of Laconia and captured the island of health, did all that he could to divert the Athenians
Cythera, a success gained with the greater facility, from this course. He succeeded in getting the
as he had previously had negotiations with some question put again to the vote ; but even his re-
of the Cytherians. He stationed an Athenian presentations of the magnitude of the preparations
garrison in the island, and ravaged the coast of required did not produce the effect which he
Laconia for seven days. On his return he ravaged wished. On the contrary, the Athenians derived
the territory of Epidaurus in Laconia, and took from them grounds for still greater confidence ; and
Thyrea, where the Spartans had settled the Aegi. Nicias and the other generals were empowered to
netans after their expulsion from their own island. raise whatever forces they thought requisite. When
These Aeginetans having been conveyed to Athens the armament arrived at Rhegium, finding the
were put to death by the Athenians. (Thuc. iv. hopes which the Athenians had entertained with
54 ; Diod. I. c. ) In B. C. 423, Nicias and Nico- regard to the Segestaeans futile, in a conference of
stratus were sent with an army to Chalcidice to the generals Nicias proposed that they should call
check the movements of Brasidas. They obtained upon the Segestaeans to provide pay, if not for the
possession of Mende, and blockaded Scione ; while whole armament, at least for the amount of the
thus engaged they entered into an agreement with succours which they had requested, and that, if they
Perdiccas. Having finished the circumvallation, furnished these, the forces should stay till they had
of Scione, they returned home. (Thuc. iv. 130— brought the Selinuntines to terms, and then return
132. )
home, after coasting the island to display the power
The death of Cleon removed out of the way of of Athens. But the intermediate plan of Alcibiades
Nicias the only rival whose power was at all was finally adopted. After the recall of Alcibiades
commensurate with his own, and he now exerted Nicias found no difficulty in securing the concurrence
all his influence to bring about a peace. He had of Lamachus in his plans. From Catana, which
secured the gratitude of the Spartans by his had come over to the Athenians and been made
humane treatment of the prisoners taken at Sphac- their head-quarters, Nicias and Lamachus proceeded
teria, so that he found no difficulty in assuming with all their forces towards Segesta. On their
the character of mediator between the belligerent way they captured Hyccara. Nicias went himself
powers. The negotiations ended in the peace of to Segesta, but could only obtain thirty talents.
B. C. 421, which was called the peace of Nicias on On their return they seem to bave remained almost
account of the share which he had bad in bringing inactive for some time, but in the autumn they pre-
it about. (Thuc. v. 16, 19, 24, vii. 86. ) In con- pared to attack Syracuse. By a skilful stratagem
sequence of the opposition of the Boeotians, Corin- the Athenians without molestation took possession
thians, and others, and the hostile disposition of of a station near the Olympieum, by the barbour
Argos, this peace was soon followed by a treaty of of Syracuse. A battle took place the next day, in
defensive alliance between Athens and Sparta. which the Syracusans were defeated. But, being
According to Theophrastus, Nicias, by bribing in want of cavalry and money, the Athenians
the Spartan commissioners, contrived that Sparta sailed away, and for the first part of the winter
should take the oaths first. Grounds for dis- took up their station at Naxos. They were un-
satisfaction, however, speedily arose between successful in their endeavours to induce Camarina
the two states. The jealousy felt by the Athe- to join them, but secured the assistance of sereral
nians was industriously increased by Alcibiades, of the Sicel tribes. Even some Etruscan cities
at whose suggestion an embassy came from Argos promised aid, and envoys were sent to Carthage.
in B. C. 420, to propose an alliance. The Spartan From Naxos Nicias remored to Catana.
envoys who came to oppose it were entrapped by ditional supplies were sent from Athens, and arrived
Alcibiades into exhibiting an appearance of double at Catana in the spring (B. C. 414). Nicias now
dealing, and it required all the influence of Nicias made preparations for seizing Epipolae, in which he
to prevent the Athenians from at once concluding was successful ; and the circumvallation of Syracuse
an alliance with Argos. He induced them to send was immediately commenced. The work proceeded
him at the head of an embassy to Sparta to rapidly, and all attempts of the Syracusans to stop
Ad-
:
## p. 1187 (#1203) ##########################################
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NICIAS
NICIAS.
1187
it were defeated. In a battle which took place in | cision. The Syracusans now resolved to bring the
the marsh Lamachus was slain. It fortunately enemy to an engagement, and, after some successful
happened at this juncture that Nicias, who was skirmishing, in a decisive naval battle defeated the
afflicted with a painful disorder of the eyes, was Athenians, though a body of their land forces received
left upon Epipolac, and his presence prevented the an unimportant check. They were now masters of
Syracusans from succeeding in a bold attempt the harbour, and the Athenians were reduced to
which they made to gain possession of the heights the necessity of making a desperate effort to es
and destroy the Athenian works, The circumval- cape. Nicias exerted himself to the utmost to en-
lation was now nearly completed, and the doom of courage the men, but the Athenians were deci-
Syracuse seemed sealed, when Gylippus arrived in sively defeated, and could not even be induced to
Sicily (GYLIPPUS). Nicias, for the first time in attempt to force their way at day-break through
bis life probably, allowed his confidence of success the bar at the mouth of the harbour. They set
to render him remiss, and he neglected to prevent out on their retreat into the interior of Sicily.
Gylippus from making his way into Syracuse. lle Nicins, though bowed down by bodily as well as
seems now to have supposed that he should be un- mental sufferings, used all his arguments to cheer
able to stop the erection of a counter-wall on the men. For the details of the retreat the reader
Epipolae, and therefore abandoned the heights and is referred to Thucydides. Nicias and Demo-
established his army on the headland of Plemmy-sthenes, with the miserable remnant of the troops,
rium, where he erected three forts. His forces were compelled to surrender. Gylippus was desi-
were defeated in an attempt to hinder the completion rous of carrying Nicias to Sparta ; but those of the
of the counterwork of the Syracusans. Succours Syracusans with whom Nicias had opened a secret
were now called in by the Syracusans from all correspondence, fearing lest its betrayal should
quarters, and Nicias found himself obliged to send bring them into difficulties, eagerly urged that he
to Athens for reinforcements, as his ships were should be put to death. His execution draws the
becoming unsound, and their crews were rapidly following just remarks from Bishop Thirlwall
thinned by deaths and desertions. He requested (Hist. of Greece, vol. iii. p. 455): “ His death
at the same time that another commander might be filled up the measure of a singular destiny, by
sent to supply his place, as his disorder rendered him which the reputation he had acquired by his
pru-
unequal to the discharge of his duties. The Athe dence and fortune, his liberality and patriotism,
nians voted reinforcements, which were placed his strength as well as his weakness, all the good
under the command of Demosthenes and Eurymes and the bad qualities of his mind and character, his
don. But they would not allow Nicias to resign talents and judgment, as well as his credulity and
his command.
superstition, his premature timidity, his tardy cou-
Meantime, Gylippus induced the Syracusans to rage, his long-protracted wavering and his unsea-
try their fortune in a sea-fight. During the heat sonable resolution, contributed in nearly equal
of action he gained possession of the forts on degrees to his own ruin and to the fall of his
Plemmyrium. The sea-fight at first was against country. The historian deplores his undeserved
the Athenians ; but the confusion caused by the calamity; but the fate of the thousands whom he
arrival of the reinforcements to the Syracusans involved in his disasters was perhaps still more
from Corinth enabled the Athenians to attack them pitiable. " According to Pausanias (i 29. § 12),
at an advantage, and gain a victory. Other con- his name was omitted on a monument raised at
tests followed in the great harbour, and in a severe Athens to the memory of those who fell in Sicily,
engagement the Athenians were defeated with con- because be surrendered himself voluntarily. (Plut.
siderable loss. But at this moment the Athenian Nicias ; Diod. xii. 83, &c. ; Thuc. ri. and vii. ;
reinforcements arrived.
Thirlwall, Hist. of Greece, vol. iii. cc. 25 and 26. )
At the suggestion of Demosthenes, a bold at- 4. A herald of Philip, king of Macedonia, who
tempt was made in the night to recover Epipolae, was carried off from Macedonia, and kept ten
in which the Athenians, after being all but suc- months in custody at Athens. The letters of
cessful, were finally driven back with severe loss. which he was the bearer were publicly read at
Demosthenes now proposed to abandon the siege Athens. (Philippi Epist. in Dem. Op. p. 159, ed.
and return to Athens. To this Nicias would not Reiske).
consent. He professed to stand in dread of the 5. An Athenian, a relative of Apollodorus, who
Athenians at home, but he appears to have had brought a suit against Phormion, on whose behalf
reasons for believing that a party amongst the Demosthenes wrote the speech úpèp populwvos.
Syracusans taemselves were likely in no long time Nicias, Deinias, and Andromenes had induced Apol-
to facilitate the reduction of the city, and, at his lodorus to desist from a previous suit of the same
urgent instance, his colleagues consented to remain kind. Nicias and Apollodorus married sisters, the
for a little longer. But meantime fresh succours daughters of Deinias. Nicias was uncle to a man
arrived for the Syracusans ; sickness was making named Stephanus, by whom he was stripped of his
ravages among the Athenian troops, and at length property. (Dem. adv. Steph. p. 1122, ed. Reiske. )
Nicias himself saw the necessity of retreating. 6. An officer in the service of Alexander the
Secret orders were given that every thing should Great. After the capture of Sardes, he was ap-
be in readiness for departure, supplies were coun- pointed to collect the revenues of the province.
termanded, and nothing seemed likely to prevent (Arrian, i. 17. $ 8. )
their unmolested retreat, when an eclipse of the 7. A friend and relation of Mennaeus, and a
moon happened. The credulous superstition of general in the service of Ptolemaeus Philopator.
Nicias now led to the total destruction of the He was sent to oppose Antiochus and succour the
Athenian armament. The soothsayers interpreted city of Abila, but was defeated. (Polyb. v. 71. )
the event as an injunction from the gods that they 8. Praetor of the Achaean league in B. C. 207.
should not retreat before the next full moon, and (Liv. xxviii. 8. )
Nicias resoluteiy determined to abide by their de- 9. An officer in the service of Perseus, king of
4 6 2
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pans From Cazane na
pre Atbetans and best made
cias and Larachas precedent
towards Santa Uste
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ase. Bra stunda
i rclestaron took permis
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e took place the dert dor, i
were defeated. But very
and mones, the thermos
the first part of the city
at Vara The vote
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red the assistance to pred
Ered some Etrusas de
arors were sent to take
remered to Catania
sent from Athens, and aniel
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, I TECH
le crumralno
Senced. The sus prezentat
pts of the SITKILLES DE SANT
## p. 1188 (#1204) ##########################################
1188
NICIAS.
NICIAS.
names.
Macedonia. He seems to have been in command | 1. Against the dialtnt's of Philoponus. 2. Against
at Pella. When the fortunes of Perseus appeared Severus, the Eutychian. 3. Against the Pagans.
desperate, in a moment of bewilderment he gave He is not to be confounded with NicakAS.
directions to Nicias to throw his treasures into the (Cave, Hist. Lit. Sc. Ec. vol. i. p. 695; Fabric. Bibl.
sea, and to Andronicus to burn his fleet. The Graec. vol. X. p. 494. ) His writings are not
former executed the commands of the king, though extant.
(W. M. G. ]
a large part of the treasure was afterwards recovered. NI'CIAS (Nelas), the name of at least two
But Perseus, to get rid of the witnesses of such an physicians.
act of folly, had both Nicias and Andronicus put 1. The physician of Pyrrhus, king of Epeirus,
to death, B. C. 169. (Liv. xliv. 10. )
who, during his master's war with the Romans,
10. A native of Cos, who made himself tyrant went to C. Fabricius Luscinus, the consul, B. C.
for a short time. He was a contemporary of Strabo. 278, and offered for a certain reward to take off
(Strab. xiv. p. 658. )
(C. P. M. ] the king by poison. (Claud. Quadrigar, ap. Aul.
NI'CIAS (Nokias), literary. 1. Of Elein. To Gell. Nocl. Ait. iii. 8 ; Zonaras, Annul. vol. ii. p.
him some attributed the Bakxiká, a poem generally 48, cd Basel, 1557. ) Fabricius not only rejected
ascribed to Orpheus. (Fabric. Bibl. Gracc. vol. i. his base offer with indignation, but immediately
pp. 164, 172. )
sent him back to Pyrrhus with notice of his
2. A rhetorician of Syracuse, who, with Tisias, treachery, who, upon receiving the information, is
instructed Lycias, B. c. 443. (Suid. S. v. Avoias. ) said to have cried out, “ This is that Fabricius
Westermann (Gesch. der Griech. Bered. p. 38) whom it is harder to turn aside from justice and
suggests that the separate mention of a Syracusan honour than to divert the sun from its course. "
Nicias may have arisen from the confusion of (Eutrop. ii. 14. ) Zonaras adds (l. c. p. 50), that
For though many writers mention him the traitor was put to death, and his skin used to
along with Tisias, they seem to have all drawn cover the seat of a chair.
from one common source.
2. A native of Nicopolis, in the second century
3. A slave of Epicurus, manumitted along with after Christ, introduced by Plutarch in his Sym.
Mys and Lycon, B. c.
