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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1900 Excerpt:...1200 in number, with the javelin men. After a short speech, Nicias led his men forward, too rapidly for the enemy, who never supposed that the Athenians, after their refusal of the previous day, would begin the attack. The engagement opened with skirmishes of the light-armed--the "stone-throwers," bowmen, and slingers on either side, each in turn defeating the other, but without any decisive result. Sacrifices were then offered; the trumpets sounded; the heavy-armed met. For a long time the Syracusans held their ground, though somewhat dismayed by a violent thunderstorm which broke upon the battlo--for though not deficient in courage, they were without experience of war. At length the Argives defeated the Syracusan left, and the Athenians those on the right: 1 Thuc. vi 63-C6. For the places mentioned see the plan, p. 327. X-12. THE ARMY RETURNS TO CATANA, 416. 319 the-whole line then broke up and turned to flight. The victorious army had to remain content with the possession of the field, for pursuit was rendered impossible by the Syracusan horse, which by repeated charges compelled the Athenians to keep together. Without even seizing the Olympieum, where the Syracusans had placed a large amount of treasure,1 they returned to their position and set up the usual trophy of victory. They then gathered up the corpses of their slain, and burnt them on a funeral pyre. On the next day, after giving back to the Syracusans... i-iiii? 11. 1 The Athenians their dead, they collected the spoils on the return to battlefield and at once sailed back to Catana, Catanacarrying with them the bones of their dead. They thought, or Nicias thought, that in spite of their victory they could not maintain their position without a force of cavalry; and they were in need of...