CHAPTER LXXV
THE ATHENIAN ARMY IS DESTROYED
The Athenians made their preparations to retreat as
secretly as possible, but the Syracusans soon discovered their
plans. When they heard that their departure was delayed for
twenty-seven days, they determined to attack the Athenian
fleet once more, and again they were successful.
On land the Athenians repulsed Gylippus, but they gained little by this success, for the Syracusans had made up their mind that the whole Athenian army should be destroyed.
So, as Demosthenes had foreseen, they barricaded the entrance to the Great Harbour, drawing their ships across it and lashing them together with chains.
Nicias saw that a battle must be fought, and he ordered a great number of the land troops to go on board the fleet. At all costs he must strengthen his navy.
The first thing the Athenians had to do was to break through the ships that were lashed together at the mouth of the harbour. But before the chains could be broken the enemy was upon them, surrounding them on every side. Despair gave the Athenians courage, and so desperately did they fight that for a time it seemed that they might yet escape.
Above the crash of vessels rose the cheers or groans of those who watched the battle from the shore.
Thucydides gives us a picture of the hopes and fears, the triumph and despair of those who fought as of those who watched. He says:
