Page:History of Greece Vol VII.djvu/252

234 234 HISTORY OF GREECE a different aspect, indeed, in the preceding month of July 415 B.C.. when the Athenians first arrived. Had the vigorous policy urged by Lamachus been then followed up, the Athenians would always have appeared likely to succeed, if, indeed, they had not already become conquerors of Syracuse ; so that waverers like the Kamarinceans would have remained attached to them from policy. The best way to obtain allies, Lamachus had contended, was, to be prompt and decisive in action, and to strike at the capital point at once, while the intimidating effect of their arrival was fresh. Of the value of his advice, an emphatic illustration is afforded by the conduct of Kamarina. 1 Throughout the rest of the winter, Nikias did little or nothing. He merely despatched envoys for the purpose of conciliating the Sikels in the interior, where the autonomous Sikels, who dwelt in the central regions of the island, for the most part declared in his favor, especially the powerful Sikel prince Archonides, send- ing provisions and even money to the camp at Naxos. Against some refractory tribes, Nikias sent detachments for purposes of compulsion ; while the Syracusans on their part did the like to counteract him. Such Sikel tribes as had become dependents of Syracuse, stood aloof from the struggle. As the spring ap- proached, Nikias transferred his position from Naxos to Katana, reestablishing that camp which the Syracusans had destroyed. 2 He farther sent a trireme to Carthage, to invite cooperation from that city ; and a second to the Tyrrhenian maritime cities on the southern coast of Italy, some of whom had proffered to him their services, as ancient enemies of Syracuse, and now realized their promises. From Carthage nothing was obtained ; why, we do not know ; for we shall find the Carthaginians, six years hence, invading Sicily with prodigious forces ; and if they entertained any such intentions, it would seem that the presence of Nikias in Sicily must have presented the most convenient moment for ex- ecuting them. To the Sikels, Egestseans, and all the other allies of Athens, Nikias sent orders for bricks, iron bars, clamps, and everything suitable for the wall of circumvallation, which was to be commenced with the first burst of spring. 1 Compare the remarks of Alkiliiade.s, TImcyil. vi, 91. 8 Thncyd. vi, 88.