Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 2.djvu/268

26o HOPES OF THE ATHENIANS [vi by a double wall, beginning at the southern clift of Epipolae and extending to the sea. Provisions came to their army in abundance from various parts of Italy. Many of the Sicel tribes who had hitherto been hesitating now joined the Athenians, and three penteconters came from the Tyrrhenians. Everything began to answer to their hopes. The Syracusans despaired of saving the city by arms, for no help reached them even from Pelo- ponnesus. Within the walls they were talking of peace, and they began to enter into communications with Nicias, who, now that Lamachus was dead, had the sole command. But no definite result was attained ; although, as might be expected when men began to feel the pressure of the siege and their own helplessness, many proposals were made to him, and many more were discussed in the city. Their calamities even made them suspicious of one another ; accordingly they deposed their generals, attri- buting the misfortunes which had befallen the city since they were appointed either to their ill-luck or to their treachery. In their room they chose Heraclides, Eucles, and Tellias. 104 Meanwhile Gylippus the Lacedaemonian and the ships ^ , , . , from Corinth ^ were already at Leucas GylippHS amies at J Taientum. Nidas des- hastening to their relief. They were pises the smal/neis of alarmed at the reports which were continually pouring in, all false, but all agreeing that the Athenian lines round Syracuse were now complete. Gylippus had no longer any hope of Sicil}', but thought that he might save Italy ; so he and Pythen the Corinthian sailed across the Ionian Gulf to Tarentum as fast as they could, taking two Laconian and two Corinthian ships. The Corinthians were to man ten ships of their own, two Leucadian, and three Ambracian, and to follow. Gylippus on his arrival at Tarentum went on a mission to Thurii, of which his father had formerly been a citizen ; he had hoped to gain over the Thurians, but failed ; he " Cp. vi. 93 med.