This unexpected resistance checked the furious
onset of the Athenians, and the Boeotians, pursuing their advantage,
charged in solid phalanx and put them to flight. Once more the tide of
battle had turned against Athens. Restored to confidence by the steady
valour of their allies, the Syracusans closed their ranks, and
advanced in dense masses up the hill. A scene of indescribable horror
and confusion ensued, so that no one was afterwards able to give a
clear account of what had happened. On the narrow neck of land which
forms the western end of Epipolae two great armies were rushing to the
encounter. On one side was the main body of the Athenians, still
ignorant of the defeat of their comrades, and hurrying forward to
share in the victory. On the other side was the whole host of
Syracuse, advancing with deafening shouts to meet them; and in the
middle were the men of Demosthenes, flying in headlong rout before the
conquering Boeotians. In the uncertain light, the fugitives were at
first mistaken for enemies, and many of them perished miserably by the
spears of their own countrymen. On came the Syracusans, bearing down
all before them; but the Athenians, as they strove to escape, were
flung back upon the enemy by fresh bodies of their own men, who were
still thronging by thousands up the northern path of Euryelus.
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