Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War 7.70

[1] But the Syracusians and their confederates, being out already with the same number of galleys they had before, disposed part of them to the guard of the open passage and the rest in circle about the haven, to the end they might fall upon the Athenians from all parts at once, and that their land forces might withal be near to aid them wheresoever the galleys touched. In the Syracusian navy commanded Sicanus and Agatharchus, each of them over a wing; and Pythen, with the Corinthians, had the middle battle.

[2] After the Athenians were come to the lock of the haven, at the first charge they overcame the galleys placed there to guard it, and endeavoured to break open the bars thereof. But when afterwards the Syracusians and confederates came upon them from every side, they fought not at the lock only but also in the haven itself; and the battle was sharp, and such as there had never before been the like.

[3] For the courage wherewith the mariners on both sides brought up their galleys to any part they were bidden was very great, and great was the plotting and counterplotting and contention one against another of the masters; also the soldiers, when the galleys boarded each other, did their utmost to excel each other in all points of skill that could be used upon the decks; and every man, in the place assigned him, put himself forth to appear the foremost.

[4] But many galleys falling close together in a narrow compass (for they were the most galleys that in any battle they had used, and fought in the least room, being little fewer on the one side and the other than two hundred), they ran against each other but seldom, because there was no means of retiring nor of passing by, but made assaults upon each other oftener, as galley with galley, either flying or pursuing, chanced to fall foul.

[5] And as long as a galley was making up, they that stood on the decks used their darts and arrows and stones in abundance; but being once come close, the soldiers at hand-strokes attempted to board each other.

[6] And in many places it so fell out, through want of room, that they which ran upon a galley on one side were run upon themselves on the other; and that two galleys, or sometimes more, were forced to lie aboard of one; and that the masters were at once to have a care, not in one place only but in many together, how to defend on the one side and how to offend on the other; and the great noise of many galleys fallen foul of one another both amazed them and took away their hearing of what their directors directed.

[7] For they directed thick and loud on both sides, not only as art required but out of their present eagerness; the Athenians crying out to theirs to force the passage, and now if ever valiantly to lay hold upon their safe return to their country; and the Syracusians and their confederates to theirs, how honourable a thing to every one of them it would be to hinder their escape and by this victory to improve every man the honour of his own country.

[8] Moreover, the commanders of either side, where they saw any man without necessity to row a-stem, would call unto the captain of the galley by his name and ask him, the Athenians, whether he retired because he thought the most hostile land to be more their friend than the sea, which they had so long been masters of; the Syracusians theirs, whether when they knew that the Athenians desired earnestly by any means to fly, they would nevertheless fly from the flyers.

[1] The Syracusans and their allies had already put out with about the same number of ships as before, a part of which kept guard at the outlet, and the remainder all round the rest of the harbor, in order to attack the Athenians on all sides at once; while the land forces held themselves in readiness at the points at which the vessels might put into the shore. The Syracusan fleet was commanded by Sicanus and Agatharchus, who had each a wing of the whole force, with Pythen and the Corinthians in the center.

[2] When the rest of the Athenians came up to the barrier, with the first shock of their charge they overpowered the ships stationed there, and tried to undo the fastenings; after this, as the Syracusans and allies bore down upon them from all quarters, the action spread from the barrier over the whole harbor, and was more obstinately disputed than any of the preceding ones.

[3] On either side the rowers showed great zeal in bringing up their vessels at the boatswains' orders, and the helmsmen great skill in maneuvering, and great emulation one with another; while the ships once alongside, the soldiers on board did their best not to let the service on deck be outdone by the others;

[4] in short, every man strove to prove himself the first in his particular department. And as many ships were engaged in a small compass (for these were the largest fleets fighting in the narrowest space ever known, being together little short of two hundred), the regular attacks with the beak were few, there being no opportunity of backing water or of breaking the line; while the collisions caused by one ship chancing to run foul of another, either in flying from or attacking a third, were more frequent.

[5] So long as a vessel was coming up to the charge the men on the decks rained darts and arrows and stones upon her; but once alongside, the heavy infantry tried to board each other's vessel, fighting hand to hand.

[6] In many quarters also it happened, by reason of the narrow room, that a vessel was charging an enemy on one side and being charged herself on another, and that two, or sometimes more ships had perforce got entangled round one, obliging the helmsmen to attend to defence here, offence there, not to one thing at once, but to many on all sides; while the huge din caused by the number of ships crashing together not only spread terror, but made the orders of the boatswains inaudible.

[7] The boatswains on either side in the discharge of their duty and in the heat of the conflict shouted incessantly orders and appeals to their men; the Athenians they urged to force the passage out, and now if ever to show their mettle and lay hold of a safe return to their country; to the Syracusans and their allies they cried that it would be glorious to prevent the escape of the enemy, and conquering, to exalt the countries that were theirs.

[8] The generals, moreover, on either side, if they saw in any part of the battle backing ashore without being forced to do so, called out to the captain by name and asked him—the Athenians, whether they were retreating because they thought the thrice hostile shore more their own than that sea which had cost them so much labour to win; the Syracusans, whether they were flying from the flying Athenians, whom they well knew to be eager to escape in whatever way they could.

Die Syrakusaner aber und ihre Bundesgenossen.waren
ungefähr mit der gleichen Schiffszahl wie früher bereits ausgelaufen
und bewachten mit einem Theil derselben die Ausfahrt, sowie auch
die übrigen Theile des Hafens rings herum, damit sie die Athener
von'allen Seiten zugleich angreifen und auch ihre Landtruppen ihnen'
zu Hilfe kommen könnten, wo immer ihre Schiffe an's Land getrieben
würden. Auf der Flotte der Syrakusaner befehligten Sikanos und
Agatharchos, Jeder auf einem Flügel; Pythen und die Korinther
hatten die Mitte. Als nun die Athener auf die Verfperrung stießen,
siegten sie beim ersten Anlauf über die dort aufgestellten Schiffe und
suchten die Sperrung zu durchbrechen; als aber dann von allen
Seiten die Syrakusaner und Bundesgenossen auf sie losstürzten, so kam
eS nicht blos bei der Sperrung zum Gefecht, sondern auch im. ganzen
Hafen selbst, und es wurde hitziger gekämpft, als je vorher. Denn
auf beiden Seiten herrschte bei der Rudermannshcaft der größte Eifer
zum Ansegeln, wenn der Befehl dazu ertheilt wurde; die Steuerleute
wetteiferten gegenseitig, sich in ihrer Kunst überlegen zu zeigen, und ^{1 2}
die Schiffssoldaten thäten ihre Sache; wenn Schiff auf Schiff stieß,
damit die Leistungen vom Verdeck nicht hinter der Geschicklichkeit der^
Andern zurückblieben.' Jeder beeiserte sich, in dem, was ihm
befohlen war, sich als der Erste zu zeigend Als aber nun auf dem engen
Raum viele Schiffe zusammenstießen — denn es war dieS die größte
Schiffszahl, die je auf so winzigem Raume gefochten hatte, da, beide
Flotten zusammengenommen, wenige an zweihundert fehlten'^) —
so fanden sehr wenig Angriffe mit den Vordertheilen statt, weil man
stich weder zum Anlauf zurückziehen, noch zwischendurch fahren konnte;
Enterangriffe von der Seite aber, wie grade zufällig ein Schiff im
Fliehen oder beim Angriffe eines andern auf ein drittes stieß, kamen
häufiger vor. So lange ein Schiff noch im Heranrudern war,
schütteten die vom Verdecke Wurfspeere, Pfeile und Steine in Menge über
dasselbe aus; waren aber beide Schiffe zusammengestoßen, so wurden'
die Soldaten handgemein und suchten Jeder das Schiff des Gegners
zu besteigen. Es traf sich auch an vielen Punkten, daß wegen des
Gedränges die Einen ein Schiff enterten und auf der andern Seite
selber geentert würden, sowie auch, daß zwei oder mehr Schiffe im
Gewühle sich an eines anklammerten und so die Steuerleute die
Aufgabe hatten, sich der Einen zu erwehren und die Andern anzugreifen,
nicht Eines nach dem Andern, sondern Vieles zugleich und nach allen
Seiten.. Zugleich erhob sich ein großes Getöse von so vielen
zusammenstoßenden'Schiffen und hinderte, verbunden mit dem Schrecken,
daß die Stimmen der Befehliger gehört werden konnten. Denn
vielfältiger Zuruf und Geschrei erschallte beiderseits von den
Befehlshabern, wie es theils ihre Amtspflicht erheischte, theils der
augenblickliche Wetteifer hervorrief. Den Athenern riefen die Ihrigen zu,
sie sollten die Durchfahrt erzwingen und jetzt oder nie die Rückkehr
in das Vaterland mit aller Anstrengung sich erkämpfen, — den
Syrakusanern und ihren Bundesgenossen, wie ruhmvoll es sei, wenn sie
jene' am Entkommen verhindern und so Jeder seines Vaterlandes
Ruhm durch den Sieg erhöhen würde. Und die Feldherren selbst
auf beiden Seiten, wenn sie Einen rückwärts tseuern sahen ohne
dringenden Grund, riefen den Schiffshauptmann mit Namen an, und ³
die Athener fragten dabei, ob sie sich vielleicht zurückzögen, weil sie ⁴
das Land ihrer erbittertsten Feinde für sicherer hielten, als das Meer,
dessen Herrschaft sie mit so vieler Anstrengung sich erkämpft hätten
— die Syrakusaner aber, ob sie denn vor den Athenern, von. denen
sie so gewiß wüßten, daß sie nur auf jede Weise zu entfliehen suchten,
selber feig fliehen wollten.

LXX. Déjà les Syracusains et leurs alliés avaient pris position avec le même nombre de vaisseaux à peu près que dans le précédent combat : une partie gardaient la passe; les autres étaient échelonnés autour du port, afin de fondre sur les Athéniens de tous les côtés à la fois, et de pouvoir en même temps être secourus par les troupes de terre, de quelque côté qu’ils abordassent. Sicanos et Agatharchos commandaient la flotte syracusaine et formaient les deux ailes; Pythen et les Corinthiens occupaient le centre. Une partie des Athéniens se porta contre le barrage, enfonça au premier choc la division qui le gardait, et se mit en mesure de rompre cet obstacle. Mais ensuite, les Syracusains et leurs alliés s’étant précipités sur eux de toutes parts, le combat s’engagea non plus seulement auprès du barrage, mais dans l’intérieur du port. Il fut acharné et hors de comparaison avec les précédents : il y avait de part et d’autre même entrainement chez les matelots toutes les fois qu’on leur ordonnait d’attaquer, même ardeur, même rivalité de science et d’habileté chez les pilotes. Les soldats de marine sur les ponts s'efforçaient, quand les bâtiments fondaient l’un sur l’autre, de ne pas rester au-dessous du reste de l’équipage. Chacun enfin s’appliquait à se distinguer entre tous au poste qui lui était assigné. Jamais vaisseaux aussi nombreux ne combattirent dans une enceinte aussi resserrée, puisque les deux flottes réunies ne formaient guère moins de deux cents navires. Aussi les éperons furent-ils de peu d’usage, par suite du défaut d’espace et de l’impossibilité où l'on était soit de reculer sur la poupe, soit de passer entre les bâtiments ennemis. Le plus fréquemment, les vaisseaux venant à se rencontrer, en fuyant ou en attaquant, on combattait bord à bord. Tout le temps qu’un bâtiment manoeuvrait à portée d’un autre, les troupes placées sur le tillac lançaient sans relâche des javelots, des traits, des pierres : venait-on à s’aborder, les soldats de marine luttaient corps à corps, s’efforçant de part et d’autre de monter sur le bâtiment ennemi. Souvent même il arriva, par le défaut d’espace, qu’un bâtiment engagé par l’éperon dans un autre était éperonné à son tour par un troisième, et qu’ainsi deux navires et plus étaient comme enchaînés à un seul. Chaque pilote avait à pourvoir en même temps à la défense, à l’attaque, et cela non point contre un seul ennemi, mais contre une multitude, et dans toutes les directions. Un tumulte effroyable, s’élevant de cette foule de vaisseaux qui s’entre-choquaient, frappait d’épouvante et couvrait la voix des maîtres de rame. De part et d’autre leurs exhortations, leurs cris se mêlaient au tumulte, soit pour commander la manoeuvre, soit pour animer au combat : du côté des Athéniens, ils criaient qu’on forçât le passage et qu’on combattît à outrance, maintenant ou jamais, pour le salut, pour le retour dans la patrie; du côté des Syracusains et de leurs alliés, qu’il serait beau de fermer la fuite à l’ennemi, et d’ajouter chacun à la puissance de leur patrie par la victoire. Les généraux, sur les deux flottes, s’ils voyaient quelque vaisseau reculer sans nécessité, appelaient les triérarques par leur nom, et leur demandaient, ceux des Athéniens, si cette terre vers laquelle ils fuyaient et où tout était ennemi pour eux, leur était devenue plus chère que la mer dont tant de travaux leur avaient acquis l’empire; ceux des Syracusains, si, sachant que l’ennemi n’avait rien tant à coeur que de s’enfuir, ils allaient fuir eux-mêmes devant des fuyards.

Les Syracusains et leurs alliés s’avancèrent avec le même nombre de vaisseaux que dans le combat précédent. Ils en employèrent une partie à garder la passe, et disposèrent les autres en demi-cercle dans le reste du port, afin d’attaquer de tous les côtés à la fois. Au même instant, leur armée de terre se portait sur tous les points accessibles. La flotte syra· cusaine était sous les ordres de Sicanos et d’Agatharchos, qui commandaient chacun une des deux ailes. Pythen et les Corinthiens occupaient le centre.

Quand les Athéniens eurent atteint le barrage, ils enfoncèrent du premier choc la division qui le gardait, et tentèrent de se faire jour. Ensuite les Syracusains fondant sur eux de tous côtés, l’action s’engagea, non plus seulement auprès du barrage, maiis aussi dans l’intérieur du port. La lutte fut acharnée et hors de toute comparaison avec les précédentes. De part et d’autre les matelots se montraient impatients de commencer l’attaque au premier signal ; les pilotes rivalisaient de talent et de zèle; les soldats du bord, sitôt que les vaisseaux s’étaient accostés, avaient soin que le service du pont ne fût pas inférieur à la manœuvre. C’était à qui se signalerait dans le poste qui lui était assigné. Jamais un espace si étroit n'avait vu combattre tant de navires; car les deux flottes réunies comptaient près de deux cents bâtiments. Aussi l’encombrement produit par cette accumulation rendait très-rares les attaques directes, vu l’impossibilité de reculer ou do percer la ligne ennemie. Le plus souvent les vaisseaux ne faisaient que s’entre-choquer, en voulant fuir ou courir sur un autre bâtiment. Un vaisseau s’avancait-il pour attaquer, il essuyait une grêle de traits, de flèches, de pierres lancées du tillac ennemi; puis, lorsqu’on s’était joint, les soldats en venaient aux mains et s’efforçaient de monter à l’abordage.. Souvent il arrivait, faute de place, qu’un même navire heurtait pendant qu’il était heurté, en sorte qu’on voyait deux vaisseaux , ou quelquefois davantage, accrochés autour d’un seul, sans pouvoir se dégager. Les pilotes , occupés de l’attaque et de la défense, étaient obligés d’avoir l’œil de tous les côtés à la fois. Le bruit assourdissant, causé par la recontre de cette multitude de navires, couvrait la voix des céleustes, qui, de part et d’autre, redoublaient de cris et d’exhortations pour commander la manœuvre ou ranimer l’ardeur des matelots. Aux Athéniens, ils criaient de forcer le passage ; que c’était le moment ou jamais de combattre vaillamment pour revoir leurs foyers ; aux Syracusainsr et à leurs alliés, qu’il était beau d’empêcher l’évasion de leurs adversaires et d’augmenter par ce fait d’armes la gloire de leurs nations. Les généraux des deux armées voyaient-ils un vaisseau reculer sans nécessité, ils appelaient nominativement le triéaarque et lui demandaient, les Athéniens, s’il pensait que cette terre hostile, vers laquelle il rétrogradait, fût plus favorable que la mer conquise par tant de travaux; les Syracusains, s’il fuyait, des ennemis qu’il savait bien n'avoir d’autre but que la fuite.

[1] But the Syracusans and their allies, who had already put out with about the same number of ships as before, were now on guard at the exit with a squadron of them and also round the rest of the harbour, their purpose being to fall upon the Athenians simultaneously from all directions; and at the same time their troops on land came up to help them wherever the Athenians' ships put to shore. In command of the Syracusan fleet were Sicanus and Agatharchus, each having a wing of the main fleet, while Pythen and the Corinthians held the centre.

[2] Now when the Athenian fleet drew near the barrier they charged and in the first onset had the better of the ships stationed there, and they set about trying to break the chains which fastened the boats together; but afterwards, when the Syracusans and their allies bore down upon them from all directions, the battle no longer raged next to the barrier only, but was becoming general all over the harbour. And it was obstinately fought, beyond any of the battles that had gone before.

[3] For on both sides much zeal was shown on the part of the sailors to make the charge whenever the order was given, and on the part of the pilots much pitting of skill against skill and mutual rivalry; and the marines took good care, whenever ship collided with ship, that the service on deck should not fall short of the skill of the rest; and everyone was eager to show himself foremost at the post of duty to which he had himself been assigned.

[4] And since many ships had come into conflict in a small space—for never did so many ships fight in so small a space, both sides together falling little short of two hundred—attacks with the beak were few because it was not possible to back water or to break through the line. ¹ But chance collisions were more frequent, as ship fell foul of ship in the attempt to flee or in making a charge upon another ship. And as long as a ship was bearing down, the men on the decks of the opposing ship used against it javelins and arrows and stones without stint;

[5] but when they came to close quarters, the marines fought hand to hand in the attempt of each side to board the ships of the other.

[6] And it happened in many places, on account of the narrowness of the space, that while the ships of one side were ramming the enemy they were also being rammed themselves, and that two ships, sometimes even more, had unavoidably got entangled about one; it also devolved upon the pilots to make defence on one side and plan attack on the other, not at one point at a time, but at many points and in every direction; and the great din arising from the collision of many ships not only caused consternation, but also prevented the men from hearing the orders of their boatswains. For there was constant exhortation and shouting on the part of the boatswains on either side, both in carrying out their duties and as the rivalry of the moment inspired them;

[7] on the Athenian side they shouted to their men to force the passage out, and, if they would win a safe return to their fatherland, now, if ever hereafter, to set themselves zealously to the task; on the side of the Syracusans and their allies they cried that it would be glorious to prevent the enemy's escape, and, by winning the victory, to exalt the honour each of his own native land.

[8] Moreover, the generals on each side, if they saw any ship in any part of the field drawing back when it was not absolutely necessary to do so, would call out the name of the trierarch and demand, the Athenian generals whether they were withdrawing because they considered the land of bitterest foes to be now more their own than the sea which Athens had acquired with no little toil, and the Syracusan, whether, when they knew clearly that the Athenians were eager to escape no matter how, they would themselves flee before men who were in flight.

[1] The Syracusans and their allies, having previously put out with pretty nearly the same number of ships as before, proceeded to keep guard with part of them at the passage out, and also round the circumference of the whole harbour, that they might fall upon the Athenians on all sides at once, while their troops also at the same time came to their aid at whatever part their vessels might put in to shore. The commanders of the Syracusan fleet were Sicanus and Agatharchus, each occupying a wing of the whole force, with Pythen and the Corinthians in the centre.

[2] When the Athenians came up to the bar, in the first rush with which they charged they got the better of the ships posted at it, and endeavoured to break the fastenings. Afterwards, when the Syracusans and their allies bore down upon them from all quarters, the engagement was going on no longer at the bar alone, but over the harbour also; and an obstinate one it was, such as none of the previous ones had been. For great eagerness for the attack was exhibited by the seamen on both sides, when the command was given;

[3] and there was much counter-manoeuvring on the part of the masters, and rivalry with each other; while the soldiers on board exerted themselves, when vessel came in collision with vessel, that the operations on deck might not fall short of the skill shown by others. Indeed every one, whatever the duty assigned him, made every effort that he might himself in each case appear the best man.

[4] And as a great number of ships were engaged in a small compass, (for indeed they were the largest fleets fighting in the narrowest space that had ever been known, since both of them together fell little short of two hundred,) the attacks made with the beaks were few, as there were no means of backing water, or cutting through the enemy's line; but chance collisions were more frequent, just as one ship might happen to run into another, either in flying from or attacking a second.

[5] So long as a vessel was coming up to the charge, those on her decks plied their javelins, arrows, and stones in abundance against her; but when they came to close quarters, the heavy-armed marines, fighting hand to hand, endeavoured to board each others ships.

[6] In many cases too it happened, through want of room, that on one side they were charging an enemy, and on the other were being charged themselves, and that two ships, and sometimes even more, were by compulsion eutangled round one. And thus the masters had to guard against some, and to concert measures against others—not one thing at a time, but many things on every side—while the great din from such a number of ships coming into collision both spread dismay and prevented their hearing what the boatswains said.

[7] For many were the orders given and the shouts raised by those officers on each side, both in the discharge of their duty, and from their present eagerness for the battle: while they cried out to the Athenians, and to the Syracusans and their allies,

[8] The commanders, moreover, on each side, if they saw any captain in any part unnecessarily rowing astern, called out on him by name and asked him, on the side of the Athenians, on that of the Syracusans,

[1] Syracusani vero sociique quum provecti essenl navibus tot numero, quot et ante habebant, et ad portus exitum cum earum parte excubias agebant, et in reliquo portu circumcirca, ut undique simul impressionem in Athenienses facerent, et peditatus simul sibi subsidio veniret, quacumque naves appellerent. Praeerant autem classi apud Syracusanos Sicanus et Agatharchus, uterque unum totius aciei cornu tenens, Pythen vero et Corinthii medium tene- bant.

[2] Postquam autem Athenienses ad claustra accesserunt, primo quidem impetu naves ad ea collocatas impiessione facta superabant, et juncturas solvere nmitr—tnr; postea vero, quum Syracusani sociique in eos undique inveherentur, noo amplius ad claustra tantum, sed etiam in ipso portu propJium fiebat, et erat atrox, et quale nullum superiorum.

[3] Magnam enim animorum alacritatem adhibebant utriosqoe classis nautae ad impetam faciendum. quotiescumque jussi essent, magnamquc artem gubernatores et aemulationem inter se; militesque praesidio navibus additi operam dabant, quoties navis impressionem in narem fecisset, ne ii, qui ex tabulatis pugnabant, cetero artificio inferiores essent; nec erat, qui non in munere sibi assignato ipse quisque contenderet primus apparere.

[4] Quum autem concurrissent in exiguo spatio naves multae (nam maximo hae naves numero in angustissimo spatio pugnarunt; haud multum enim aberat, quin universae utriosque classis ducentae essent) incursiones quidem paucae fiebant, quia nec retrocedendi nec perrumpendi ulla facultas dabatur, concursus vero frequentiores erant, prout quaeque naris in navem incidisset, vel quod fugeret, vel Impressionem in aliam faciens.

[5] Et quamdiu quidem navis invaderet, qui ex tabulatis pugnabant, jaculis et sagittis et lapidibus abunde adversus alteram utebantur; ubi autem jam concurrissent, propugnatores manus conserentes utrinque in alienas naves ingredi conabantur.

[6] Multis autem in partibus contingebat propter lod angustias, ut simul et alios invasissent et ipsi invasi essent, et ut duae, et alicubi etiam plures naves circa unam necessario haererent, gubernatoresque has quidem vitandi, illas vero per insidias ibvadendi cane circumsisterent, idque non sigillatim, sed coqjunctim undique, utque strepitus ingens, qui a multis navibus concurrentibus edebatur, simul et pavorem afferret, et auditum adimeret eorum, quae ab hortatoribus praecipiebantur.

[7] Multa enim adhortatio multusque clamor utrinque horta-loram audiebatur et ex arte et propter praesentem vincendi contentionem, quum Atheniensibus quidem, ut per vim eruptionem facerent, ac clamarent, atque nunc, si unquam alias, alacriter de salvo in patriam reditu contenderent; Syracusanis vero et socii, praeclarum esse illorum fugam impedire, partaque victoria suam quemque patriam incrementis augere.

[8] Praeterea utriusque classis duces, si-cubi aliquem animadvertissent praeter necessitatem cun» sua navi cessim ire, accitum nominatim ejus trierarchum percontabantur, Athenienses quidem, num retrocederent, quod infensissimorum hostium agrum ipso mari, cujus imperium non exiguo labore obtinuissent, jam amiciorem putarent; Syracusani vero, num quos Athenienses plane scirent vehementer cupere quavis ratione effugere, lios fugientes ipsi fugerent.

E già i Siracusani e gli alleati si erano mossi con un numero di navi pressoché eguale a quello di prima, c con una parte di esse guardavano l’uscita, e con le altre si misero in giro al rimanente del porto, per assaltare ad un tempo da tutti i lati gli Ateniesi, ed insieme per avere il soccorso della fanteria , dovunque le navi approdassero. Erano ammiragli della flotta siracusana Sicano ed Agatarco ; ciascuno dei quali reggeva un’ala di tutta l’armata, e Pitene coi Corintii il centro. Poiché gli Ateniesi si avvicinarono alla serra, spingendosi innanzi vinsero iu quel primo empito le navi schieratevi a difesa, e si sforzavano di rompere l’ordinanza di quelle che serravano il porto. Dopo di chc, vogando addosso a loro da ogni parte i Siracusani e gli alleati, non solo si combatteva presso la serra , ma anche nel porto la battaglia era feroce e più accanita delle passate. Imperocché quinci e quindi molta era la premura dei marinari per investire il nemico, ovunque fosse comandato, e molto il gareggiamento e l'artificio scambievole dei timonieri; ed i soprassaglienti, quando una nave s’abbordava con l’altra, usavano ogni sforzo perchè il servigio loro di sulle coverte non fosse da meno dell’arte degli altri. Insomma ognuno studiavasi di comparire il primo negli uffici a lui commessi. Ma per la gran quantità delle navi che in angusto spazio si cozzavano insieme (ed angustissimo era lo spazio e mollissime queste navi che vi combattevano perchè tra deiruna parte e dell’altra poco mancava che non arrivassero a dugento), raro era che si andasse all’abbordaggio, non v’essendo modo di trarre addietro per darsi l’abbrivo e traversare le file nemiche ; laddove più frequenti erano gl’ incontri delle navi che casualmente s’imbattevano insieme o volendo fuggire od assalirsi l’una l’altra. E mentre la nave spingevasi contra alcuna delle nemiche, quei di sulle coverte scagliavano contr’essa un’infinità di giavéllotti, saette e pietre ; quando poi trovavansi accosto, i soprassaglienti venendo alle mani sforzavansi scambievolmente di saltare all’arrembaggio. E molte volte accadeva per la strettezza del luogo di assalire altrui da una parte e trovarsi assalito dall’altra, e che due navi e talvolta anche più fossero costrette ad aggrapparsi intorno ad una ; ed i piloti non in un punto solo , ma in molti e da ogni lato , doveano aver l’occhio a guardarsi da questi e ad assaltar quelli. Inoltre il gran frastuono di tanti legni che si urtavano insieme metteva terrore ed impediva l’udita di ciò che ordinassero i comiti delle due armate, i quali esortavano ed animavano i suoi, per le regole dell’arte e per l’ostinata gara attuale» Gridavano agli Ateniesi, che forzassero l’uscita, che ora più che altre volte mai si dessero premura per tornare a salvamento in patria; ai Siracusani ed agli alleati, che era di loro decoro impedir la fuga al nemico , e che colla vittoria ciascuno accrescerebbe l’onore della sua patria. Di più gli ammiragli da ambedue le parti, se vedevano qualche nave rinculare senza necessità, chiamavano per nome il trierarca ; e quei degli Ateniesi domandavano se indietreggiassero, credendosi padroni di una terra nimicissima più che del mare con tante fatiche acquistato; quei de’Siracusani, se mentre sapevano bene che il nemico facea di tutto per iscappare, essi medesimi fuggissero da chi fuggiva.