ed by the
Argives and Mantineans, the centre by the Athenians, and the rest of the
field by the other allies. Half their army was drawn up eight deep in
advance, half close to their tents in a hollow square, formed also eight
deep, which had orders to look out and be ready to go to the support of
the troops hardest pressed. The camp followers were placed inside this
reserve. The Syracusans, meanwhile, formed their heavy infantry sixteen
deep, consisting of the mass levy of their own people, and such
allies as had joined them, the strongest contingent being that of the
Selinuntines; next to them the cavalry of the Geloans, numbering two
hundred in all, with about twenty horse and fifty archers from Camarina.
The cavalry was posted on their right, full twelve hundred strong, and
next to it the darters. As the Athenians were about to begin the attack,
Nicias went along the lines, and addressed these words of encouragement
to the army and the nations composing it:

"Soldiers, a long exhortation is little needed by men like ourselves,
who are here to fight in the same battle, the force itself being, to my
thinking, more fit to inspire confidence than a fine speech with a weak
army. Where we have Argives, Mantineans, Athenians, and the first of the
islanders in the ranks together, it were strange indeed, with so
many and so brave companions in arms, if we did not feel confident
of victory; especially when we have mass levies opposed to our picked
troops, and what is more, Siceliots, who may disdain us but will not
stand against us, their skill not being at all commensurate to their
rashness. You may also remember that we are far from home and have no
friendly land near, except what your own swords shall win you; and here
I put before you a motive just the reverse of that which the enemy are
appealing to; their cry being that they shall fight for their country,
mine that we shall fight for a country that is not ours, where we must
conquer or hardly get away, as we shall have their horse upon us in
great numbers. Remember, therefore, your renown, and go boldly against
the enemy, thinking the present strait and necessity more terrible than
they."

After this address Nicias at once led on the army. The Syracusans were
not at that moment expecting an immediate engagement, and some had even
gone away to the town, which was close by; these now ran up as hard as
they could and, though behind time, took their places here or there
in