Diodorus Siculus

BOOK XIII - The Library of History



Page 305 Messapia which join'd them in their Passage. These Generals brought with them more than Three Hundred and Ten Gallies, and Five Thousand Men, besides Seamen: But Arms, Moneys, Engines for a Siege and other Provisions were on board other Transport Ships. Upon this the Syracusians were again discourag'd, judging they were never able for the future to cope with so potent an Enemy.

Demosthenes having now persuaded his Collegues to seise upon the Epipole, (for otherwise he could never straiten the City on every side) set upon the Syracusians in the night with Ten Thousand heavy Arm'd Men, and as many light Arm'd; and the Assault being unexpected they took some Forts, and entring within the Fortifications, demolish'd part of the Wall. But the Syracusians running together from all parts to the Place assaulted, and Hermocrates with a choice Band of lusty Young Men hasting in with aid and assistance; the Athenians were driven out, and through the darkness of the Night and ignorance of the Passages were dispers'd and scatter'd far from one another, so that the Syracusians with their Auxiliaries with a close persuit kill'd Two Thousand Five Hundred of them, and wounded many that got off, and possess'd themselves of a great Number of Arms.

After this encounter, the Syracusians sent Sicanus one of the Officers with twelve Gallies to the rest of the Cities both to inform them of the Victory and likewise to desire further Aid.

The Athenians (their affairs now declining so much to the worse, and the Plague breaking forth in the Army by reason of a stinking marsh Ground near adjoyning) consulted what was sit to be done in the present exigency. Demosthenes was of Opinion without delay to return to Athens, saying it was far more commendable to venture their Lives for their Country against the Lacedemonians than to lie still in Sicily doing nothing. But Nicias said it was base and dishonourable to leave the Siege when they were so plentifully supply'd, both with Shipping Men and Money. And moreover, that they should be involv'd in great Danger by those whose common practice it was, to asperse the Generals, if they should make Peace with the Syracusians, and return to their Country without the order and command of the People. Among those that were then present at the Consult some approv'd of the Advice of Demosthenes for returning; others agreed with Nicias. But nothing being determin'd, they lay idle without any Action.

In the mean time, great Aids and Supplies came to them of Syracuse from the Siculi, Selenuntians, Geleans, Himereans and Camarineans, which encourag'd them as much as it discourag'd the Athenians. And besides the Plague so rag'd and increas'd that a great part of the Army Perish'd, which caus'd them all now to repent that they had not return'd before. The Athenian Army therefore being in a tumult, and hasting to their Shipping, Nicias himself was forc'd to a Compliance. And now both the Generals agreeing in Opinion, the Souldiers Shipt their Baggage and Lumber, and having all Aboard their Ships, hoist up Sail. And the Generals caus'd it to be Proclaim'd that upon a Sign given all should be ready, and if any loytred they should be left behind. But the Night before they intended to set Sail, the Moon was Ecclips'd, which occasion'd Nicias (who was naturally Superstitious, and then in great uneasiness by reason of the Plague) to advise with the Sooth-sayers. By whom Answer was given, that they must not by any means Sail of three Days: Into which Opinion Demosthenes and those of his party likewise were led through their Superstition. The Syracusians understanding by Deserters the cause of the stay, Man'd all their Gallies, to the Number of Seventy Four. And drawing out their Land-Forces, set upon the Athenians both by Sea and Land. On the other side the Athenians Man'd Fourscore and Six Gallies and gave the Command of the Right Wing to Eurymedon, against whom was oppos'd Agatharcus the Syracusian General. In the left Wing they plac'd Euthydemus, in opposition to Sicanus, who Commanded for the Syracusians. Menander Commanded the middle Battle on the Athenians side, and Pithes the Corinthian for the Syracusians. And altho' the Athenians Line of Battel stretch'd out further in length than the Syracusians because their Ships were more; yet that which seem'd to be their advantage prov'd to be their ruin in the Issue.


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