Page:History of Greece Vol XI.djvu/133

DION AT LEONTINI. 107 tence went in favor of Dion and against the Syracusans ; whc nevertheless stood out obstinately, refusing all justice or repara- tion, 1 and fancying themselves competent to reduce Ortygia with- out Dion's assistance since the provisions therein were exhaust- ed, and the garrison was already suffering from famine. Des- pairing of reinforcement, Apolokrates had already resolved to send envoys and propose a capitulation, when Nypsius, a Neapoli- tan officer, despatched by Dionysius from Lokri, had the good fortune to reach Ortygia at the head of a re-inforcing fleet, con- voying numerous transports with an abundant stock of provisions There was now no farther talk of surrender. The garrison of Ortygia was re-inforced to ten thousand mercenary troops of con- siderable merit, and well provisioned for some time. 2 The Syracusan admirals, either from carelessness or ill-fortune, had not been able to prevent the entry of Nypsius. But they made a sudden attack upon him while his fleet were in the harbor, and while the crews, thinking themselves safe from an enemy, were interchanging salutations or aiding to disembark the stores. This attack was well-timed and successful. Several of the triremes of Nypsius were ruined others were towed off as prizes, while the victory, gained by Herakleides without Dion, provoked extravagant joy throughout Syracuse. In the belief that Ortygia could not longer hold out, the citizens, the soldiers, and even the generals, gave loose to mad revelry and intoxication, continued into the ensuing night. Nypsius, an able officer, watch- ed his opportunity, and made a vigorous night-sally. His troops, issuing forth in good order, planted their scaling-ladders, mounted the blockading wall, and slew the sleeping or drunken sentinels without any resistance. Master of this important work, Nypsius employed a part of his men to pull it down, while he pushed the rest forward against the city. At daybreak the affrighted Syra- cusaos saw themselves vigorously attacked even in their own stronghold, when neither generals nor citizens were at all prepared to resist. The troops of Nypsius first forced their way into Nea- polis, which lay the nearest to the wall of Ortygia ; next into Tycha, the other fortified suburb. Over these they ranged Plutarch, Dion, c. 40. Plutarch, Dion, c. 41 ; Diodor. xvi. 18. 19.