But in their rapid advance over a
distance of nearly three miles their ranks became disordered, and
their attack was so straggling and ineffectual that they were easily
repulsed, and driven back with considerable loss into the town. On the
following day Nicias led his troops down the slope, and offered battle
before the walls of Syracuse; but the challenge was declined, and the
Syracusans remained within their defences, leaving the Athenians in.
undisputed possession of Epipolae.
After this important success the Athenian generals prepared at once to
form the siege of Syracuse. They first constructed a fort at a place
called Labdalum, on the northern verge of Epipolae, and near its
western extremity, to serve as a safe depositary for their baggage and
money. Then, taking up a position near the centre of Epipolae, they
built a circular wall, covering a considerable space of ground, and
defended on the side towards the city by an outer breastwork, a
thousand feet long. This enclosure, which was called the Circle, was
intended as a shelter for the men employed on construction of the
blockading wall, which started from either side of the Circle, and was
to be carried north and south until it reached the sea. The work made
rapid progress, and greatly alarmed the Syracusans, who saw themselves
in danger of being cut off from all hope of succour on the land side.
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