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p their position either at Thapsus or Catana； where they could obtain abundant supplies of provisions； and would have an open sea for the manoeuvres of their fleet。 But even to this proposal Nicias would not consent； and the army and navy remained in their former position。 Soon afterwards； however； Gylippus received such large reinforcements； that Nicias found it necessary to adopt the advice of his colleague。 Preparations were secretly made for their departure； the enemy appear to have had no suspicion of their intention and they were on the point of quitting their ill… fated quarters on the following morning； when on the very night before （27 Aug。 413 B。C。） an eclipse of the moon took place。 The soothsayers who were consulted said that the army must wait thrice nine days； a full circle of the moon； before it could quit its present position； and the devout and superstitious Nicias forthwith resolved to abide by this decision。
Meanwhile the intention of the Athenians became known to the Syracusans； who determined to strike a blow before their enemy escaped。 They accordingly attacked the Athenian station both by sea and land。 On land the attack of Gylippus was repulsed； but at sea the Athenian fleet was completely defeated； and Eurymedon； who commanded the right division； was slain The spirits of the Symcusans rose with their victories； and though they would formerly have been content with the mere retreat of the Athenians； they now resolved on effecting their utter destruction。 With this view they blocked up the entrance of the Great Harbour with a line of vessels moored across it。 All hope seemed now to be cut off from the Athenians； unless they could succeed in forcing this line and thus effecting their escape。 The Athenian fleet still numbered 110 triremes； which Nicias furnished with grappling…irons； in order to bring the enemy to close quarters； and then caused a large proportion of his land… force to embark。
Never perhaps was a battle fought under circumstances of such intense interest； or witnessed by so many spectators vitally concerned in the result。 The basin of the Great Harbour； about 5 miles in circumference； in which nearly 200 ships； each with crews of more than 200 men； were about to engage； was lined with spectators。 The Syracusan fleet was the first to leave the shore。 A considerable portion was detached to guard the barrier at the mouth of the harbour。 Hither the first and most impetuous attack of the Athenians was directed； who sought to break through the narrow opening which had been left for the passage of merchant vessels。 Their onset was repulsed； and the battle then became general。 The shouts of the combatants； and the crash of the iron heads of the vessels as they were driven together； resounded over the water； and were answered on shore by the cheers or wailings of the spectators as their friends were victorious or vanquished。 For a long time the battle was maintained with heroic courage and dubious result。 At length； as the Athenian vessels began to yield and make back towards the shore； a universal shriek of horror and despair arose from the Athenian army； whilst shouts of joy and victory were raised from the pursuing vessels； and were echoed back from the Syracusans on land。 As the Athenian vessels neared the shore their crews leaped out； and made for the camp； whilst the boldest of the land army rushed forward to protect the ships from being seized by the enemy。 The Athenians succeeded in saving only 60 ships； or about half their fleet。 The Syracusan fleet； however； had been reduced to 50 ships； and on the same afternoon； Nicias and Demosthenes； as a last hope of escape； exhorted their men to make another attempt to break the enemy's line； and force their way out of the harbour。 But the courage of the crews was so completely damped that they positively refused to re…embark。
The Athenian army still numbered 40；000 men； and as all chance of escape by sea was now hopeless； it was resolved to retreat by land to some friendly city； and there defend themselves against the attacks of the Syracusans。 As the soldiers turned to quit that fatal encampment； the sense of their own woes was for a moment suspended by the sight of their unburied comrades； who seemed to reproach them with the neglect of a sacred duty； but still more by the wailings and entreaties of the wounded； who clung around their knees； and implored not to be abandoned to certain destruction。 Amid this scene of universal woe and dejection； a fresh and unwonted spirit of energy and heroism seemed to be infused into Nicias。 Though suffering under an incurable complaint； he was everywhere seen marshalling his troops and encouraging them by his exhortations。 The march was directed towards the territory of the Sicels in the interior of the island。 The army was formed into a hollow square with the baggage in the middle； Nicias leading the van； and Demosthenes bringing up the rear。 The road ascended by a sort of ravine over a steep hill called the Acraean cliff on which the Syracusans had fortified themselves。 After spending two days in vain attempts to force this position； Nicias and Demosthenes resolved during the night to strike off to the left towards the sea。 But they were overtaken； surrounded by superior forces； and compelled to surrender at discretion。 Out of the 40；000 who started from the camp only 10；000 at the utmost were left at the end of the sixth day's march； the rest had either deserted or been slain。 The prisoners were sent to work in the stone…quarries of Achradina and Epipolae。 Here they were crowded together without any shelter； and with scarcely provisions enough to sustain life。 The numerous bodies of those who died were left to putrify where they had fallen； till at length the place became such an intolerable centre of stench and infection that； at the end of seventy days； the Syracusans； for their own comfort and safety； were obliged to remove the survivors； who were sold as slaves。 Nicias and Demosthenes were condemned to death in spite of all the efforts of Gylippus and Hermocrates to save them。
Such was the end of two of the largest and best appointed armaments that had ever gone forth from Athens。 Nicias； as we have seen； was from the first opposed to the expedition in which they were employed； as pregnant with the most dangerous consequences to Athens； and； though it must be admitted that in this respect his views were sound； it cannot at the same time be concealed that his own want of energy； and his incompetence as a general； were the chief causes of the failure of the undertaking。 His mistakes involved the fall of Demosthenes； an officer of far greater resolution and ability than himself； and who； had his counsels been followed； would in all probability have conducted the enterprise to a safe termination； though there was no longer room to hope for success。
CHAPTER XIII。
THE PELOPONNESIAN WAR。THIRD PERIOD； FROM THE SICILIAN EXPEDITION TO THE END OF THE WAR； B。C。 413…404。
The destruction of the Sicilian armament was a fatal blow to the power of Athens。 It is astonishing that she was able to protract the war so long with diminished strength and resources。 Her situ