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5. While Gylippus was building the wall across Epipolae, Gylpus, eggg employing the stones which the Athenians had previously laid there for1 their own use, he at the same time constantly led out and drew up in front of the wall the Syracusans and their allies, and the Athenians on their part drew up in face of them. [2] When he thought that the moment had arrived he offered battle; the two armies met and fought hand to hand between the walls. But there the Syracusan cavalry was useless; [3] the Syracusans and their allies were defeated, and received their dead under a flag of truce, while the Athenians raised a trophy. Gylippus then assembled his army and confessed that the fault was his own and not theirs; for by confining their ranks too much between the walls he had rendered useless both their cavalry and their javelinmen. So he would lead them out again. [4] And he reminded them that in material force they were equal to their enemies, while as for resolution they ought to be far superior. That they, who were Peloponnesians and Dorians2, should allow a mixed rabble of Ionians and islanders to remain in the country and not determine to master them and drive them out, was a thing not to be thought of.

1 Gylippus, engaging the Athenians in a confined space between' the walls, is defeated.

2 Cp. 1.124 init.; 5.9 init.; 6.77 med.; 8.25 med.

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  • Commentary references to this page (15):
    • E.C. Marchant, Commentary on Thucydides: Book 7, 7.22
    • T. G. Tucker, Commentary on Thucydides: Book 8, 8.25
    • C.E. Graves, Commentary on Thucydides: Book 4, CHAPTER XXXV
    • C.E. Graves, Commentary on Thucydides: Book 5, 5.49
    • C.E. Graves, Commentary on Thucydides: Book 5, 5.57
    • C.E. Graves, Commentary on Thucydides: Book 5, 5.70
    • C.E. Graves, Commentary on Thucydides: Book 5, 5.72
    • Harold North Fowler, Commentary on Thucydides Book 5, 5.2
    • Harold North Fowler, Commentary on Thucydides Book 5, 5.74
    • Harold North Fowler, Commentary on Thucydides Book 5, SPEECH OF BRASIDAS TO HIS TROOPS.
    • Charles D. Morris, Commentary on Thucydides Book 1, 1.105
    • Charles D. Morris, Commentary on Thucydides Book 1, 1.109
    • Charles D. Morris, Commentary on Thucydides Book 1, 1.124
    • Charles D. Morris, Commentary on Thucydides Book 1, 1.143
    • Charles D. Morris, Commentary on Thucydides Book 1, 1.62
  • Cross-references to this page (2):
  • Cross-references in notes to this page (3):
    • Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War, Thuc. 5.9
    • Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War, Thuc. 6.77
    • Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War, Thuc. 8.25
  • Cross-references in notes from this page (4):
    • Thucydides, Histories, 1.124
    • Thucydides, Histories, 5.9
    • Thucydides, Histories, 6.77
    • Thucydides, Histories, 8.25
  • Cross-references in general dictionaries to this page (7):
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