At once resuming the
offensive, he planned an attack on the forts recently erected by
Nicias at Plemmyrium, and in order to divide the attention of the
Athenians, he determined to make a simultaneous movement against them
by sea and land. He himself took command of the army, and setting out
at night, made his way round to the rear of the Athenian position at
Plemmyrium. Meanwhile the Syracusan fleet lay ready in two divisions,
one of which, consisting of thirty-five vessels, was moored in the
docks, within the Great Harbour, while the other, to the number of
forty-five, had its station in the Lesser Harbour. At the hour
appointed by Gylippus, just as day was breaking, both squadrons got
under weigh, and bore down upon Plemmyrium, from the opposite sides of
Ortygia. Though taken by surprise, the Athenians put out in haste with
sixty triremes, and a sea-fight ensued, in which the Syracusans for
some time had the advantage. By this time Gylippus was at hand with
his army, and by a sudden assault on the Athenian forts he made an
easy capture of all three; for the greater part of the garrison had
flocked down to the sea, to watch the progress of the action in the
Great Harbour. Fortunately for these men, who had so grossly neglected
their duty, the Athenian fleet had now gained a decisive victory, and
they were thus enabled to make their escape by water, and cross over
to the camp of Nicias, on the other side of the bay.
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