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the truer saying of the two； for in the staff and the cloak they saw
the badge and authority of Sparta； and crowded to him accordingly。 And
not only Thucydides affirms that the whole thing was done by him
alone； but so； also； does Philistus； who was a Syracusan and an actual
witness of what happened。
However； the Athenians had the better in the first encounter； and
slew some few of the Syracusans； and amongst them Gongylus of Corinth。
But on the next day Gylippus； showed what it is to be a man of
experience； for with the same arms； the same horses； and on the same
spot of ground； only employing them otherwise； he overcame the
Athenians； and they fleeing to their camp； he set the Syracusans to
work； and with the stone and materials that had been brought
together for finishing the wall of the Athenians； he built a
cross…wall to intercept theirs and break it off； so that even if
they were successful in the field； they would not be able to do
anything。 And after this the Syracusans taking courage manned their
galleys； and with their horse and followers ranging about took a
good many prisoners； and Gylippus going himself to the cities；
called upon them to join with him； and was listened to and supported
vigorously by them。 So that Nicias fell back again to his old views；
and； seeing the face of affairs change； desponded； and wrote to
Athens； bidding them either send another army； or recall this out of
Sicily； and that he might； in any case； he wholly relieved of the
command； because of his disease。
Before this the Athenians had been intending to send another army to
Sicily； but envy of Nicias's early achievements and high fortune had
occasioned； up to this time； many delays； but now they were all
eager to send off succours。 Eurymedon went before； in midwinter；
with money； and to announce that Euthydemus and Menander were chosen
out of those that served there under Nicias to be joint commanders
with him。 Demosthenes was to go after in the spring with a great
armament。 In the meantime Nicias was briskly attacked； both by sea and
land； in the beginning he had the disadvantage on the water； but in
the end repulsed and sunk many galleys of the enemy。 But by land he
could not provide succour in time； so Gylippus surprised and
captured Plemmyrium； in which the stores for the navy； and a great sum
of money being there kept； all fell into his hands； and many were
slain； and many taken prisoners。 And what was of greatest
importance； he now cut off Nicias's supplies； which had been safely
and readily conveyed to him under Plemmyrium； while the Athenians
still held it； but now that they were beaten out； he could only
procure them with great difficulty； and with opposition from the
enemy； who lay in wait with their ships under that fort。 Moreover；
it seemed manifest to the Syracusans that their navy had not been
beaten by strength； but by their disorder in the pursuit。 Now；
therefore； all hands went to work to prepare for a new attempt that
should succeed better than the former。 Nicias had no wish for a
sea…fight； but said it was mere folly for them； when Demosthenes was
coming in all haste with so great a fleet and fresh forces to their
succour； to engage the enemy with a less number of ships and ill
provided。 But； on the other hand； Menander and Euthydemus； who were
just commencing their new command； prompted by a feeling of rivalry
and emulation of both the generals； were eager to gain some great
success before Demosthenes came； and to prove themselves superior to
Nicias。 They urged the honour of the city； which； said they； would
be blemished and utterly lost if they should decline a challenge
from the Syracusans。 Thus they forced Nicias to a sea…fight； and by
the stratagem of Ariston； the Corinthian pilot （his trick； described
by Thucydides； about the men's dinners）； they were worsted； and lost
many of their men； causing the greatest dejection to Nicias； who had
suffered so much from having the sole command； and now again
miscarried through his colleagues。
But now by this time Demosthenes with his splendid fleet came in
sight outside the harbour； a terror to the enemy。 He brought along； in
seventy…three galleys； five thousand men…at…arms； of darters； archers；
and slingers； not less than three thousand with the glittering of
their armour； the flags waving from the galleys； the multitude of
coxswains and flute…players giving time to the rowers； setting off the
whole with all possible warlike pomp and ostentation to dismay the
enemy。 Now one may believe the Syracusans were again in extreme alarm；
seeing no end or prospect of release before them； toiling； as it
seemed； in vain； and perishing to no purpose。 Nicias； however； was not
long overjoyed with the reinforcement； for the first time he conferred
with Demosthenes； who advised forthwith to attack the Syracusans；
and to put all to the speediest hazard； to win Syracuse； or else
return home； afraid； and wondering at his promptness and audacity；
he besought him to do nothing rashly and； desperately； since delay
would be the ruin of the enemy； whose money would not hold out； nor
their confederates be long kept together； that when once they came
to be pinched with want； they would presently come again to him for
terms； as formerly。 For； indeed； many in Syracuse held secret
correspondence with him； and urged him to stay； declaring that even
now the people were quite worn out with the war and weary of Gylippus。
And if their necessities should the least sharpen upon them they would
give up all。
Nicias glancing darkly at these matters； and unwilling to speak
out plainly； made his colleagues imagine that it was cowardice which
made him talk in this manner。 And saying that this was the old story
over again； the well…known procrastinations and delays and refinements
with which at first he let slip the opportunity in not immediately
falling on the enemy； but suffering the armament to become a thing
of yesterday； that nobody was alarmed with； they took the side of
Demosthenes； and with ado forced Nicias to comply。 And so Demosthenes；
taking the land…forces； by night made an assault upon Epipolae； part
of the enemy he slew ere they took the alarm； the rest defending
themselves he put to flight。 Nor was he content with this victory
there； but pushed on further； till he met the Boeotians。 For these
were the first that made head against the Athenians； and charged
them with a shout； spear against spear； and killed many on the
place。 And now at once there ensued a panic and confusion throughout
the whole army； the victorious portion got infected with the fears
of the flying part； and those who were still disembarking and coming
forward falling foul of the retreaters； came into conflict with
their own party； taking the fugitives for pursuers； and treating their
friends as if they were the enemy。
Thus huddled together in disorder； distracted with fear and
uncertainties； and unable to be sure of seeing anything； the night not
being absolutely dark； nor yielding any steady light； the moon then
towards setting； shadowed with the many weapons and bodies that
moved to and fro； and glimmering so as not to s