The world in 415 BC — what happened that year

31 events the sources record for this year, grouped by region.

What happened

Gylippus led his troops out against the Syracusans and Athenians and fought. (Diodorus Siculus, Library of History 13.8.1)
Athens debates the Sicilian expedition (Plutarch's Parallel Lives Plut. Alcibiades 17)
Alcibiades is accused of mutilating the statues and profaning the Mysteries (Plutarch's Parallel Lives Plut. Alcibiades 19)
The expedition sails with around 140 triremes (Plutarch's Parallel Lives Plut. Alcibiades 20)
On the way back under summons he escapes at Thurii and crosses to the Peloponnese (Plutarch's Parallel Lives Plut. Alcibiades 23)
Emboldened, the Syracusans challenge the Athenian camp first (Plutarch's Parallel Lives Plut. Nicias 16)
After seeing 60 talents of Egestaean silver, the assembly votes to send 60 ships and appoint three generals (Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War 6.8.1–2)
Nicias, thinking exaggerated force requirements would make them give up, demands 100 ships and over 5,000 hoplites (Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War 6.25.2)
In a single night most of the Herms in the city of Athens have their faces mutilated (Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War 6.27.1)
Alcibiades is accused of profaning the Mysteries but sails first, and it is decided he will be tried after his return (Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War 6.29.3)