History of the Peloponnesian War

Thus spake Hermocrates. But the people of Syracuse were at much strife amongst themselves, some contending that the Athenians would by no means come and that the reports were not true, and others that if they came they would do no more harm than they were likely again to receive. Some contemned and laughed at the matter; but some few there were that believed Hermocrates and feared the event.

But Athenagoras, who was chief magistrate of the people, and at that time most powerful with the commons, spake as followeth: