L’impresa di Callippo e la memoria della spedizione ateniese in Sicilia del 415-413

This article examines the effects that, after the killing of Dion, Callippus’ seize of power at Syracuse produced in the Hellenic world of the mid-fourth century, notably in Athens. In spite of the slight extant evidence, we can argue that the Athenians strongly debated how to react to this event, if it was better to support it or to condemn it. In the end, since this second option prevailed, it was probably due to the geopolitical situation of the time and the particular position of Athens and Sparta in the system of alliances during the third sacred war. Nevertheless, it is likely that Callippus’ case revitalized among the Athenians the painful memory of the disastrous campaign against Syracuse of 415-413. It is in this perspective that we can fully appreciate a curious notice preserved by Plutarch in the Life of Nicias (14, 7) and normally neglected in relation to these problems.