Athenagoras of Syracuse

• The Athenians who were already fighting a war against Sparta would not want two equally large wars on their hands
• Highlighting the strength of Syracuse and Sicily
• Scaring the population of Syracuse to gain power
• In any state the wise should rule using both sides of the argument
• Difference between an oligarchy and a democracy
• Again highlighting strength of Syracuse

• "As if to leave no doubt about the iron of Athenagoras’ fraudulent democratic rhetoric, Thucydides reports that following the debate the Syracusan assembly was prevented from making any decision at all."
• "In the case of Athenagoras we are shown a politician who virtually succeeds in turning a deliberation assembly into a mob"
• "Athenagoras dismisses the invasion issue and seeks to inflame passions by gratuitously raising the spectre of an oligarchic revolt".