CHAPTER LIX.

FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE SIEGE OF SYRACUSE BY NIKIAS, DOWN TO THE SECOND ATHENIAN EXPEDITION UNDER DEMOSTHENES, AND THE RESUMPTION OF THE GENERAL WAR.

Movements of Nikias in the early spring.—Local condition and fortifications of Syracuse, at the time when Nikias arrived.—Inner and Outer City.—Localities without the wall of the outer city—Epipolæ.—Possibilities of the siege when Nikias first arrived in Sicily—increase of difficulties through his delay.—Increased importance of the upper ground of Epipolæ. Intention of the Syracusans to occupy the summit of Epipolæ.—The summit is surprised by the Athenians.—The success of this surprise was essential to the effective future prosecution of the siege.—First operations of the siege.—Central work of the Athenians on Epipolæ, called The Circle.—First counter-wall of the Syracusans.—Its direction, south of the Athenian circle—its completion.—It is stormed, taken, and destroyed by the Athenians.—Nikias occupies the southern cliff—and prosecutes his line of blockade south of the Circle.—Second counter-work of the Syracusans—reaching across the marsh, south of Epipolæ, to the river Anapus.—This counter-work attacked and taken by Lamachus—general battle—death of Lamachus.—Danger of the Athenian circle and of Nikias—victory of the Athenians.—Entrance of the Athenian fleet into the Great Harbor.—The southern portion of the wall of blockade, across the marsh to the Great Harbor, is prosecuted and nearly finished.—The Syracusans offer no farther obstruction—despondency at Syracuse—increasing closeness of the siege.—Order of the besieging operations successively undertaken by the Athenians.—Triumphant prospects of the Athenians. Disposition among the Sikels and Italian Greeks to favor them.—Conduct of Nikias—his correspondents in the interior of Syracuse.—Confidence of Nikias—comparative languor of his operations.—Approach of Gylippus—he despairs of relieving Syracuse.—Progress of Gylippus, in spite of discouraging reports.—Approach of Gylippus is made known to Nikias. Facility of preventing his farther advance—Nikias despises him, and leaves him to come unobstructed. He lands at Himera in Sicily.—Blindness of Nikias—egregious mistake of letting in Gylippus.—Gylippus levies an army and marches across Sicily from Himera to Syracuse.—The Corinthian Goggylus reaches Syracuse before Gylippus—just in time to hinder the town from capitulating.—Gylippus with his new-levied force enters Syracuse unopposed.—Unaccountable inaction of Nikias.—Vigorous and aggressive measures of Gylippus, immediately on arriving.—Gylippus surprises and captures the Athenian fort of Labdalum.—He begins the construction of a third counter-wall, on the north side of the Athenian circle.—Nikias fortifies Cape Plemmyrium.—Inconveniences of Plemmyrium as a maritime station—mischief which ensues to the Athenian naval strength.—Operations of Gylippus in the field—his defeat.—His decisive victory—the Athenians are shut up within their lines. The Syracusan counter-wall is carried on so far as to cut the Athenian line of blockade.—Farther defences provided by Gylippus, joining the higher part of Epipolæ with the city wall.—Confidence of Gylippus and the Syracusans—aggressive plans against the Athenians, even on the sea.—Discouragement of Nikias and the Athenians.—Nikias sends home a despatch to Athens, soliciting reinforcements.—Despatch of Nikias to the Athenian people.—Resolution of the Athenians to send Demosthenês with a second armament.—Remarks upon the despatch of Nikias.—Former despatches of Nikias.—Effect of his despatch upon the Athenians.—Treatment of Nikias by the Athenians.—Capital mistake committed by the Athenians.—Hostilities from Sparta certain and impending.—Resolution of Sparta to invade Attica forthwith, and to send farther reinforcements to Sicily. 243-286