DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5625#0236
The Third Pelopoimesian War 207
defense of their city. When, after much delay, Nicias was finally
^duced by the second general in command to begin the siege
'he city, courage had returned to the Syracusans, and their
e ense was well organized.
On the advice of Alcibiades the Spartans sent an able com- 389. Athe-
mander with a small force to assist Syracuse, and the city was unsuccessful
tjj>n^<?ent *n *ts new al!y- When Nicias made no progress in
e siege, Athens responded to his call for help with a second
and more land forces. No Greek state had ever mustered
Such power and sent it far across the waters. All Greece
Watched the spectacle with amazement. Meantime the Syra-
°Usans too had organized a fleet. The Athenian fleet had
etltered the harbor, and in such narrow quarters they were
Utlable to maneuver or take advantage of their superior
Searr>anship. The fleet of Syracuse was finally victorious in
Several actions.
^ With disaster staring them in the face, there was nothing 39<X Capmre
r the Athenians to do but withdraw. But just at this point fleet and'3"
an eclipse of the moon occurred, and the superstitious Nicias |™/Cuse
Jested on waiting another month for a more favorable moon. (4I3B-c.)
e Syracusans then blockaded the channel to the sea and
^Ripletely shut up the Athenian fleet within the harbor, so
^at an attempt to break through and escape disastrously failed.
he desperate Athenian army, abandoning sick and wounded
to° 'ate, endeavored to escape into the interior, but-was over-
men and forced to surrender. After executing the command-
!nS generals, the Syracusans took the prisoners, seven thousand
lr> number, and sold them into slavery or threw them into the
f °ne quarries of the city, where most of them miserably per-
'shed. Thus the Athenian expedition was completely destroyed
*3 B.c). This disaster, together with the earlier ravages of
e Plague, brought Athens near the end of her resources.
I Sparta, seeing the unprotected condition of Athens, now no
nger hesitated to undertake a campaign into Attica. On the
. advice of Alcibiades again, the Spartans occupied the town of
defense of their city. When, after much delay, Nicias was finally
^duced by the second general in command to begin the siege
'he city, courage had returned to the Syracusans, and their
e ense was well organized.
On the advice of Alcibiades the Spartans sent an able com- 389. Athe-
mander with a small force to assist Syracuse, and the city was unsuccessful
tjj>n^<?ent *n *ts new al!y- When Nicias made no progress in
e siege, Athens responded to his call for help with a second
and more land forces. No Greek state had ever mustered
Such power and sent it far across the waters. All Greece
Watched the spectacle with amazement. Meantime the Syra-
°Usans too had organized a fleet. The Athenian fleet had
etltered the harbor, and in such narrow quarters they were
Utlable to maneuver or take advantage of their superior
Searr>anship. The fleet of Syracuse was finally victorious in
Several actions.
^ With disaster staring them in the face, there was nothing 39<X Capmre
r the Athenians to do but withdraw. But just at this point fleet and'3"
an eclipse of the moon occurred, and the superstitious Nicias |™/Cuse
Jested on waiting another month for a more favorable moon. (4I3B-c.)
e Syracusans then blockaded the channel to the sea and
^Ripletely shut up the Athenian fleet within the harbor, so
^at an attempt to break through and escape disastrously failed.
he desperate Athenian army, abandoning sick and wounded
to° 'ate, endeavored to escape into the interior, but-was over-
men and forced to surrender. After executing the command-
!nS generals, the Syracusans took the prisoners, seven thousand
lr> number, and sold them into slavery or threw them into the
f °ne quarries of the city, where most of them miserably per-
'shed. Thus the Athenian expedition was completely destroyed
*3 B.c). This disaster, together with the earlier ravages of
e Plague, brought Athens near the end of her resources.
I Sparta, seeing the unprotected condition of Athens, now no
nger hesitated to undertake a campaign into Attica. On the
. advice of Alcibiades again, the Spartans occupied the town of