Page:History of Greece Vol VII.djvu/16

Cont CONTENTS CHAPTER LX. ifHOM THE BESIMPTION OF DIRECT HOSTILITIES BETWEEN ATHENS AND SPARTA, DOWN TO THE DESTRUCTION OF THE ATHENIAN ARMAMENT IN SICILY. Active warlike preparations throughout Greece daring the winter of 414- 413 B.C. Invasion of Attica by Agis and the Peloponnesian force fortification of Dekeleia. Second expedition from Athens against Syra- cuse, under Demosthenes. Operations of Gylippus at Syracuse He determines to attack the Athenians at sea. Naval combat in the har- bor of Syracuse the Athenians victorious. Gylippus surprises and takes Plemmyrium. Important consequences of the capture. Increased spirits and confidence of the Syracusans, even for sea-fight. Efforts of the Syracusans to procure farther reinforcements from the Sicilian towns. Conflicts between the Athenians and Syracnsans in the Great Harbor. Defeat of a Sicilian reinforcement marching to aid Syracuse Renewed attack by Gylippns on the Athenians. Disadvantages of the Athenian fleet in the harbor. Their naval tactics Impossible in the narrow space. Improvements in Syracusan ships suited to the narrow space. The Syracusans threaten attack upon the Athenian naval sta- tion. Additional preparations of Nikias battle renewed. Complete defeat of the Athenians. Danger of the Athenian armament arrival of Demosthenes with the second armament. Voyage of Demosthenes from Korkyra. Imposing effect of his entry into the Great Harbor. Revived courage of the Athenians. Judicious and decisive resolutions of Demosthenes. Position and plans of Demosthenes. Nocturnal march of Demosthenes to surprise Epipolae, and turn the Syracusan line of defence. Partial success at first complete and ruinous defeat finally Disorder of the Athenians great loss in the flight. Elate spirits, and renewed aggresive plans, of the Syracusans. Deliberation and dif- ferent opinions of the Athenian generals. Demosthenes insists on de- parting from Sicily Nikias opposes him. Demosthenes insists at least on removing out of the Great Harbor. Nikias refuses to consent to such removal. The armament remains in the Great Harbor, neither acting nor retiring. Infatuation of Nikias. Increase of force and con- fidence in Syracuse Nikias at length consents to retreat. Orders for retreat privately circulated. Eclipse of the moon Athenian retreat postponed. Eclipses considered as signs differently interpreted opinion of Philochorus. Renewed attacks of the Syracnsans defeat of the Athenian fleet in the Great Harbor. Partial success ashore against Gylippus. The Syracusans determine to block up the mouth of the harbo'r, and destroy or capture the whole Athenian armament. Large views of the Syracusans against the power of Athens new hazards now opened to endanger that power. Vast numbers, and miscellane- ous origin, of the combatants now engaged in fighting for or against Syracuse. The Syracusans block up the mouth of the harbor. The Athenians resolve to force their way out preparations made by the generals. Exhortations of Nikias on putting the crews aboard. Ag- ony of Nikias his efforts to encourage the officers". Bold and animated angnage of Gylippus to the Syracusan fleet. Syracusan arrangements.