Thesis. The use of the proven principles of war could have prevented the Athenian defeat at Syracuse. Discussion. In 415-413 BC, Athens, the most powerful force in the Mediterranean, laid siege to the Sicilian city of Syracuse. Their unstated goal was to conquer Sicily. Athens used a minor conflict between Segesta, an ally, and Selinus, an ally of Syracuse, to justify intervention. Athens' expedition to Sicily was the largest naval armada ever assembled. The troops were the best paid and had the most modern weapons available. What the expedition lacked was a clear and concise goal and a unified leadership. Conclusion. The best "troops and weapons will not win a war if a combatant doesn't use the basic principles of war. Syracuse, the weaker of the two combatants, with assistance from Sparta, defeated Athens. Athens consistently violated the principles of war in four main areas causing their defeat. Those areas were lack of command unity and operational security, and failure to exploit surprise and sustain the offensive.

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