The victory thus remained with the Athenians; but the moral advantage
was entirely on the side of the Syracusans. With an army composed of
raw recruits, they had met the flower of the Athenian forces, trained
by years of warfare, and led by experienced generals, in fair fight,
and though attacked at a disadvantage, they had fought with spirit,
and retreated with coolness and deliberation. They had good reason to
be satisfied with the result of their first encounter with the
invader, and they might well share the high and confident hopes
expressed by their most eminent citizen, Hermocrates. Speaking at a
general assembly, immediately after the battle, the great patriot
congratulated his countrymen on the courage which they had displayed,
and at the same time pointed out the necessity of improving their
discipline and military organization. One important reform should be
made at once; the number of the generals, which had hitherto been
fifteen, should be greatly reduced, and those appointed to the supreme
command should be given absolute power, so that they might act with
secrecy and despatch. Further, let the whole adult male population be
placed under arms, and kept in constant drill all through the winter.
If these measures were vigorously carried out, they might successfully
defy the Athenians to do their worst.
Pages:
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220