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towards setting； shadowed with the many weapons and bodies that
moved to and fro； and glimmering so as not to show an object plain；
but to make friends through fear suspected for foes； the Athenians
fell into utter perplexity and desperation。 For； moreover； they had
the moon at their backs； and consequently their own shadows fell
upon them； and both hid the number and the glittering of their arms；
while the reflection of the moon from the shields of the enemy made
them show more numerous and better appointed than； indeed； they
were。 At last； being pressed on every side； when once they had given
way； they took to rout； and in their flight were destroyed； some by
the enemy； some by the hand of their friends； and some tumbling down
the rocks； while those that were dispersed and straggled about were
picked off in the morning by the horsemen and put to the sword。 The
slain were two thousand； and of the rest few came off safe with
their arms。
Upon this disaster； which to him was not wholly an unexpected one；
Nicias accused the rashness of Demosthenes； but he； making his excuses
for the past； now advised to be gone in all haste； for neither were
other forces to come； nor could the enemy be beaten with the
present。 And； indeed； even supposing they were yet too hard for the
enemy in any case； they ought to remove and quit a situation which
they understood to be always accounted a sickly one； and dangerous for
an army； and was more particularly unwholesome now； as they could
see themselves； because of the time of year。 It was the beginning of
autumn； and many now lay sick； and all were out of heart。
It grieved Nicias to hear of flight and departing home； not that
he did not fear the Syracusans； but he was worse afraid of the
Athenians； their impeachments and sentences； he professed that he
apprehended no further harm there； or if it must be； he would rather
die by the hand of an enemy than by his fellow…citizens。 He was not of
the opinion which Leo of Byzantium declared to his fellow…citizens： 〃I
had rather；〃 said he； 〃perish by you； than with you。〃 As to the matter
of place and quarter whither to remove their camp； that； he said；
might be debated at leisure。 And Demosthenes； his former counsel
having succeeded so ill； ceased to press him further； others thought
Nicias had reasons for expectation； and relied on some assurance
from people within the city； and that this made him so strongly oppose
their retreat； so they acquiesced。 But fresh forces now coming to
the Syracusans and the sickness growing worse in his camp； he； also；
now approved of their retreat； and commanded the soldiers to make
ready to go aboard。
And when all were in readiness； and none of the enemy had observed
them； not expecting such a thing； the moon was eclipsed in the
night； to the great fright of Nicias and others； who； for want of
experience； or out of superstition； felt alarm at such appearances。
That the sun might be darkened about the close of the month； this even
ordinary people now understood pretty well to be the effect of the
moon； but the moon itself to be darkened； how that could come about；
and how； on the sudden； a broad full moon should lose her light； and
show such various colours； was not easy to be comprehended； they
concluded it to be ominous； and a divine intimation of some heavy
calamities。 For he who the first； and the most plainly of any； and
with the greatest assurance committed to writing how the moon is
enlightened and overshadowed； was Anaxagoras； and he was as yet but
recent； nor was his argument much known； but was rather kept secret；
passing only amongst a few； under some kind of caution and confidence。
People would not then tolerate natural philosophers； and theorists； as
they then called them； about things above； as lessening the divine
power； by explaining away its agency into the operation of
irrational causes and senseless forces acting by necessity； without
anything of Providence or a free agent。 Hence it was that Protagoras
was banished； and Anaxagoras cast in prison； so that Pericles had much
difficulty to procure his liberty； and Socrates； though he had no
concern whatever with this sort of learning； yet was put to death
for philosophy。 It was only afterwards that the reputation of Plato；
shining forth by his life； and because he subjected natural
necessity to divine and more excellent principles； took away the
obloquy and scandal that had attached to such contemplations； and
obtained these studies currency among all people。 So his friend
Dion； when the moon； at the time he was to embark from Zacynthus to go
against Dionysius； was eclipsed； was not in the least disturbed； but
went on； and arriving at Syracuse； expelled the tyrant。 But it so fell
out with Nicias； that he had not at this time a skilful diviner with
him； his former habitual adviser who used to moderate much of his
superstition； Stilbides； had died a little before。 For； in fact；
this prodigy； as Philochorus observes； was not unlucky for men wishing
to fly； but on the contrary very favourable； for things done in fear
require to be hidden； and the light is their foe。 Nor was it usual
to observe signs in the sun or moon more than three days； as
Autoclides states in his Commentaries。 But Nicias persuaded them to
wait another full course of the moon； as if he had not seen it clear
again as soon as ever it had passed the region of shadow where the
light was obstructed by the earth。
In a manner abandoning all other cares； he betook himself wholly
to his sacrifices； till the enemy came upon them with their
infantry； besieging the forts and camp； and placing their ships in a
circle about the harbour。 Nor did the men in the galleys only； but the
little boys everywhere got into the fishing…boats and rowed up and
challenged the Athenians； and insulted over them。 Amongst these a
youth of noble parentage； Heraclides by name； having ventured out
beyond the rest； an Athenian ship pursued and well…nigh took him。
His uncle Pollichus； in fear for him； put out with ten galleys which
he commanded； and the rest； to relieve Pollichus； in like manner
drew forth； the result of it being a very sharp engagement； in which
the Syracusans had the victory； and slew Eurymedon； with many
others。 After this the Athenian soldiers had no patience to stay
longer； but raised an outcry against their officers； requiring them to
depart by land； for the Syracusans； upon their victory； immediately
shut and blocked up the entrance of the harbour； but Nicias would
not consent to this； as it was a shameful thing to leave behind so
many ships of burden； and galleys little less than two hundred。
Putting； therefore； on board the best of the foot； and the most
serviceable darters； they filled one hundred and ten galleys； the rest
wanted oars。 The remainder of his army Nicias posted along by the
seaside； abandoning the great camp and the fortifications adjoining
the temple of Hercules； so the Syracusans； not having for a long
time performed their usual sacrifice to Hercules； went up now； both
priests and captains； to sacrifice。
And their galleys being manned； the diviners predicted from their
sacrifice