History of the Peloponnesian War

Such were the disclosures made by the letter of Nicias. But when the Athenians heard it read, they did not relieve Nicias of his command, but in order that he might not to have to face his difficulties alone while in ill-health, they chose two men who were on the spot, Menander and Euthydemus,[*](Already mentioned as one of those who signed the treaty of Nicias, 422 B.C.; cf. 5.19.2; 5.24.1.) to assist him until the arrival of the other two who should be chosen as his colleagues. And they voted to send another armament, both land-force and fleet, to be recruited from the Athenians on the muster-roll and from the allies.

And as colleagues for Nicias they elected Demosthenes[*](Last mentioned in active service in iv. 66-69.) son of Alcisthenes, and Eurymedon[*](He had been fined after the unsuccessful expedition to Sicily in 424 B. C.; cf. 4.65.3.) son of Thucles. Eurymedon was despatched to Sicily immediately, about the time of the winter solstice, with ten ships; and he took with him one hundred and twenty talents of silver,[*](£24,000; $116,640.) and at the same time bore a message to the army in Sicily that reinforcements would come and that care would be taken of them.