ves,
or their sons, with hope and lamentation upon their way, as they thought
of the conquests which they hoped to make, or of the friends whom they
might never see again, considering the long voyage which they were going
to make from their country. Indeed, at this moment, when they were now
upon the point of parting from one another, the danger came more home to
them than when they voted for the expedition; although the strength of
the armament, and the profuse provision which they remarked in every
department, was a sight that could not but comfort them. As for the
foreigners and the rest of the crowd, they simply went to see a sight
worth looking at and passing all belief.

Indeed this armament that first sailed out was by far the most costly
and splendid Hellenic force that had ever been sent out by a single city
up to that time. In mere number of ships and heavy infantry that against
Epidaurus under Pericles, and the same when going against Potidaea under
Hagnon, was not inferior; containing as it did four thousand Athenian
heavy infantry, three hundred horse, and one hundred galleys accompanied
by fifty Lesbian and Chian vessels and many allies besides. But these
were sent upon a short voyage and with a scanty equipment. The present
expedition was formed in contemplation of a long term of service by land
and sea alike, and was furnished with ships and troops so as to be ready
for either as required. The fleet had been elaborately equipped at great
cost to the captains and the state; the treasury giving a drachma a day
to each seaman, and providing empty ships, sixty men-of-war and forty
transports, and manning these with the best crews obtainable; while the
captains gave a bounty in addition to the pay from the treasury to
the thranitae and crews generally, besides spending lavishly upon
figure-heads and equipments, and one and all making the utmost exertions
to enable their own ships to excel in beauty and fast sailing. Meanwhile
the land forces had been picked from the best muster-rolls, and vied
with each other in paying great attention to their arms and personal
accoutrements. From this resulted not only a rivalry among themselves in
their different departments, but an idea among the rest of the Hellenes
that it was more a display of power and resources than an armament
against an enemy. For if any one had counted up the public expenditure
of the state, and the private outlay of individuals--that is to say,
th