Page 308 Vessels, and fled to the Land Army. The Harbour was now full of Arms and Wrecks of Ships every where. Threescore of the Athenian Ships were absolutely destroy'd, of the Syracusians Eight were lost, and Eleven disabled.
The Syracusians tow'd as many of their Gallies to the Shoar as they could, and took out the Dead Bodies of their Citizens and Confederates, and gave them an Honourable Burial. The Athenians throng'd together to the Generals Tents, desiring them not so much to regard the Ships, as the preservation both of themselves and the Souldiers. Thereupon Demostbenes declar'd that more Ships were forthwith to be man'd, in order to force the Blockade, which if done presently, they might all easily escape.
Nicias was of a contrary Opinion, and advis'd the leaving the Ships, and to march up into the heart of the Country to the Cities of their Confederates; whose Opinion all embrac'd: And having burnt some of their Ships, they forthwith made it their business to march away. Their Design of Decamping in the Night being known to the Enemy, Hermocrates advis'd the Syracusians to draw out all their Forces in the Night, and stop all the Passes on the High-Ways. But the Officers not approving of this, because many of the Souldiers were wounded, and all wearied and tir'd out by the late Engagement, sent some Horsemen to the Athenians Camp, to inform them that the Syracusians had laid all the Ways with Souldiers to intrap them in their March. The Horse coming in late in the Night, (the Athenians believing they were sent out of kindness to them from the Leontines) were in a great perplexity, and thereupon stay'd at present where they were; though they might have pass'd with great safety, if they had not been thus deluded. The Syracusians therefore as soon as it was light, sent out Souldiers, and secur'd all the narrow Passes on the Road. The Athenians divided the Army into Two Parts, their Sick Men and Carriages they plac'd in the middle; those that were strong and able to fight, were in the Front and Rear: Demosthenes led these, and Nicias the other, and so they march'd towards Catana. In the mean time, the Syracusians drew Fifty Gallies left behind, with Ropes into the City, and ordered all their Sea-men and Souldiers out of the Gallies, and arm'd them, and so pursu'd after the Athenians with all their Forces, and continually vexed, galled, and even tir'd out the Rear. Pressing thus upon their Backs for Three Days together, and possessing all the Passes before them, the Way to Catana was quite blockt up. At length being chas'd through the Helorine Way, to the River Assinarus, where there was no going forward, they were absolutely coup'd up, and there the Syracusians kill'd Eighteen Thousand of them, and took Seven Thousand Prisoners, among whom were Demosthenes and Nicias the Generals. The rest were given as a Prey to the Souldiers; for the Athenians (no Way being left to escape) were forc'd to deliver up, not only their Arms but themselves, as Captives to their Enemy's Mercy.
Upon this happy Success, the Syracusians erected Two Trophies, and fixt to them the Arms of the Generals, and then return'd to the City. Hereupon the whole City gave publick Thanks unto the Gods. The next Day an Assembly was call'd, to consider what was to be done with the Prisoners. There Diocles, one of the highest Esteem among the People, deliver'd his Opinion,
When the Decree was read, Hermocrates then in the Assembly began to speak, and say, That it was more commendable to use a Victory with Moderation and Humanity, than to overcome.
The People murmuring and grumbling at this, as not pleasing to them, one Nicholaus, who had lost Two Sons in this War, ascends the Desk, supported by his Servants, by reason of his Age. At which the People ceas'd their Murmuing, supposing he would be sharp against the Prisoners. Silence being made, the Old Man began thus,