The result of this battle was to leave the Athenian in undisputed
possession of the whole country round Syracuse. Lamachus, indeed, had
fallen, and the loss of that daring and active spirit soon made itself
severely felt. But for the present the fortunes of Athens were in the
ascendant, and everything seemed to promise a speedy triumph. The
Syracusans were thoroughly cowed by their defeat, and looked passively
on, while a double wall of blockade crept steadily forwards from the
southern edge of Epipolae towards the Great Harbour, where the
Athenian fleet had now taken up its permanent station. The native
Sicels, who had hitherto held back through fear of Syracuse, now
joined the Athenians in great numbers. Even the distant Etruscans, the
ancient enemies of Syracuse, sent three war-galleys to take part in
the sack of the great Dorian city.
Day by day the spirits of the Syracusans sank lower and lower. They
now began to feel the actual pressure of a siege. Months had passed
since their envoys had sailed for Greece, and there was still no sign
of help from Corinth or Sparta. They had lost all hope of saving
themselves by their own unaided efforts, and no course seemed left to
them but to make the best terms they could with Nicias. Negotiations
were accordingly opened with the Athenian general, but after much
discussion no definite result was attained.
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