m by their great
superiority in force, but had failed in most of their attempts, and
being already in perplexity, had now been defeated at sea, where
defeat could never have been expected, and were thus plunged deeper in
embarrassment than ever.

Meanwhile the Syracusans immediately began to sail freely along the
harbour, and determined to close up its mouth, so that the Athenians
might not be able to steal out in future, even if they wished. Indeed,
the Syracusans no longer thought only of saving themselves, but also how
to hinder the escape of the enemy; thinking, and thinking rightly, that
they were now much the stronger, and that to conquer the Athenians and
their allies by land and sea would win them great glory in Hellas. The
rest of the Hellenes would thus immediately be either freed or released
from apprehension, as the remaining forces of Athens would be henceforth
unable to sustain the war that would be waged against her; while they,
the Syracusans, would be regarded as the authors of this deliverance,
and would be held in high admiration, not only with all men now living
but also with posterity. Nor were these the only considerations that
gave dignity to the struggle. They would thus conquer not only the
Athenians but also their numerous allies, and conquer not alone,
but with their companions in arms, commanding side by side with the
Corinthians and Lacedaemonians, having offered their city to stand in
the van of danger, and having been in a great measure the pioneers of
naval success.

Indeed, there were never so many peoples assembled before a single city,
if we except the grand total gathered together in this war under Athens
and Lacedaemon. The following were the states on either side who came
to Syracuse to fight for or against Sicily, to help to conquer or
defend the island. Right or community of blood was not the bond of union
between them, so much as interest or compulsion as the case might be.
The Athenians themselves being Ionians went against the Dorians of
Syracuse of their own free will; and the peoples still speaking Attic
and using the Athenian laws, the Lemnians, Imbrians, and Aeginetans,
that is to say the then occupants of Aegina, being their colonists,
went with them. To these must be also added the Hestiaeans dwelling
at Hestiaea in Euboea. Of the rest some joined in the expedition as
subjects of the Athenians, others as independent allies, others as
mercenaries. To the number of the su