If
anyone not concerned in the struggle had been present, he might have
admired the grand exhibition of military pomp and power, the perfect
trim and condition of the triremes, the precision of the rowing, and
the glittering ranks of the hoplites, javelin-men, archers, and
slingers, who thronged the decks. But no such feeling could find room
in the minds of the Syracusans. After their long trials and
sufferings, on the very eve of their crowning triumph, a new host of
enemies had sprung up against them, and all their toils were beginning
anew.
IX
When Demosthenes arrived at Syracuse, the position of affairs was as
follows: the blockading wall of the Athenians still extended in an
unbroken line from the circular fort on Epipolae to the camp and naval
station of Nicias at the head of the Great Harbour; but the Athenians
were cut off from access to the northern slope of Epipolae by the
Syracusan counterwall, which had been carried up the whole length of
the plateau as far as the hill of Euryelus. Along the northern edge of
the cliff the Syracusans had established three fortified camps, where
the defenders of the counterwall had their quarters, and on the summit
of Euryelus a fort had been erected, which held the key to the whole
system of defence.
Pages:
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255