This plausible story found ready credence with the Syracusan generals,
and they named a day on which they promised to appear in full force
before the walls of Catana. When the time appointed drew near, they
marched out with the whole Syracusan army, leaving the city to be
garrisoned by their allies, and took up a position within easy reach
of Catana. Thereupon Nicias, who was fully informed of their
movements, embarked his troops by night, sailed down the coast past
Syracuse, and entering the Great Harbour, came to land near the
outlying suburb of Polichne, where stood the great temple of the
Olympian Zeus. Here he planted a breastwork of palisades to defend his
ships, and drew up his army on ground which offered many obstacles to
the advance of the Syracusan cavalry. Then, having broken down the
bridge over the Anapus, he waited for the enemy to appear.
Meanwhile the Syracusan generals had marched upon Catana, and finding
that they had been duped, returned with all speed to the defence of
their own city. After a long and fatiguing march, they came in view of
the Athenian position, and drew up their forces for battle. But Nicias
declined the challenge, and the day being now far advanced, they fell
back and encamped for the night in the open field.
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