4 15 BC
The Athenians discussed whether to send troops to Sicily. Nicias stated the pros and cons, and repeatedly discouraged the Athenians from going to Sicily. Alkki Buades, an ambitious general, incited the people and passed the resolution of the expedition. Almost everyone is full of enthusiasm. The old man is full of confidence in victory; Young people want to broaden their horizons and see the distant scenery; Ordinary people know that they can get paid during the expedition, and if Athens' power is expanded, they will get permanent paid jobs. A few people who actually opposed the expedition were afraid of being called unpatriotic, so they kept their mouths shut. The fanatical Athenians immediately prepared for the war. The big slave owners and businessmen expected to gain more land and wealth through exploration. They spend a lot of money to make their boats more beautiful and faster than others'.
At this moment, a large number of Hermes statues in the city were suddenly destroyed. Alkki Buades was involved in the case, but he claimed to be one of the generals. This expedition was the farthest the Athenians left their homeland, which cost a lot of money and will continue to use a lot of property. The Athenians and their allies * * * have 136 warships, three rows of oars, two big ships, 50 rows of oars, and one ship carries 30 horses. The total strength includes: 1 0,300 light infantry, 5 1 0,000 heavy infantry, 480 crossbowmen, 700 stone throwers and 26,000 paddlers. In addition, 30 merchant ships carry bakers, masons, carpenters, grains and complete sets of tools for building forts. More than 100 ships were collected, and many ships volunteered to do business with the expeditionary force.
The Athens Expeditionary Force sailed to Ligim, the top of Italy, and landed to negotiate with the local people, hoping for cooperation, but failed. The three commanding generals discussed what to do next. Nicias advocated reconciliation between Elki Starr and Zilinas through force and negotiation, and then sailed along the coast to show off.
The strength of Athens shows how willing Athens is to help its friends and allies and then return to China. Alkki Buades, on the other hand, thinks that if you don't succeed, you shouldn't go back, and advocates winning the support of Messina first, because this place is the gateway to Sicily and an excellent seaport, which can be used as the base of the army. Raemakers suggested that we go directly to Syracuse to give the enemy a surprise attack, but he finally supported Alkki Buades's plan. Alkki Buades took his boat to Maishan, but was refused. Maishangen didn't want the Athenians to go to town, so he had to return to Ligim. Soon, Athens issued an order to ask Asibid and others suspected of Hermes statue case to return to China to answer the accusations made by the state. On his own boat, Alkki Buades pretended to return to China, but he slipped away and fled to Sparta. The Athenians tried him in absentia and announced the death penalty for him and his companions.
The two generals who stayed in Sicily divided the army into two parts and decided to command one part by lot. They made some small victories in succession and entered Tatsu Yamashiro, ready to attack Syracuse. Syracuse is also preparing to attack the Athenians. The general in Athens sent a credible man to see the general in Syracuse, claiming that he was sent by someone close to Syracuse in Catana. He suggested that Syracuse attack at dawn in order to take advantage of the Athenians' good opportunity to sleep in a city far from weapons at night. He said that at that time, people in Catana would leave the Athenians in the city in time, and they would also set fire to the ship. Gusulagu believed his words, and on the appointed day, the whole army set out for Tatsu Yamashiro. When the Athenians saw that ancient Syracuse was hooked, the whole army boarded the ship overnight and sailed for Syracuse. At dawn, the Athenians occupied the vantage point on the other side of Mount Olympus and built fortifications. The cavalry of Syracuse first went to Daccatana, found that the situation was wrong, and immediately told the infantry the news, and the whole army immediately returned to defend their homes.
The next day, the Athenians pre-empted, and the Syracuse ancients who were forced to rush into battle did not show weakness. The two sides were deadlocked for a long time. However, all of a sudden, the heavy rain, lightning and thunder, and the ancient Syracuse people who fought in the battle of 1 began to feel very terrible; The experienced Athenians and their allies have long been accustomed to this. What they are worried about is that Syracuse people have resisted for so long and have not retreated. Argos first forced Syracuse's left wing to retreat, and then the Athenians broke through to resist their enemies. The ancient army of Syracuse was split in two and began to flee. In this battle, 260 Syracuse and their allies were killed, and the Athenians and their allies lost about 50 people.
The Athenians who returned to Catana from Syracuse sailed to Mount Mais. However, due to the betrayal of Alkki Buades, the Athenians should be put to death, and the Athenians could not enter the city. They stayed there for about 13 days. Due to the storm and lack of food, the war is difficult to progress. They had to retreat to Naxos and Tatsu Yamashiro for the winter, and took the opportunity to win over the Cisse people for food and horse support. At the same time, the Athenians showed friendship to the Carthaginians and went to Serus to win some allies. Gusulagu also used winter to build city walls and sent people to persuade Italian coastal cities to resist the invasion of Athens.
In the spring of 4 14 BC
The Athenians in Sicily, together with new reinforcements from Athens, set out quietly and landed not far from Epipoli. The army went straight to Pipoli. Before Syracuse knew what had happened, the Athenians had occupied a highland. Gusulagu hurriedly entered a state of combat, and his military strength was incomplete and he was quickly defeated. About 300 people died.
On the one hand, the Athenians built a double wall, completely blocking the ancient Syracuse from the land, on the other hand, destroying the underground drinking water pipeline of the ancient Syracuse, forcing them to put forward surrender conditions. However, Corinthians and Spartans arrived in time and restored the confidence of ancient Syracuse. Gylippus led the sudden appearance of Spartans and the attack of ancient Syracuse, which caused chaos in Athens. Even Nikeus believed that the arrival of Gylippus shattered the Athenians' hopes of winning on land. He took his fleet and some army troops across the sea and moved to Miriam, Pliem. It is difficult to use water here, and it takes a long way to get it. When they went out to collect firewood, they were often attacked by Syracuse ancients, causing casualties.
Gylippus took the initiative to attack several times, which finally destroyed the Athenians' plan to surround the ancient city of Syracuse, and greatly increased the confidence of the people of Syracuse. Nicias felt that the situation was critical, and wrote a letter requesting: Either withdraw troops immediately or send a large number of reinforcements. The Athenians refused to retreat and decided to send an army and navy and two generals to Sicily for reinforcements. At the same time, ships were sent to patrol around the Peloponnesus in case anyone went to Sicily from Corinth or Sparta.
Alkki Buades and his associates fled to Sparta, ensuring their lives and safety. He flattered the Spartans and told the whole story of the Athenian strategic plan. He exaggeratedly incited and inspired the fighting mood of Spartans and made suggestions for Spartans. Under his temptation, the Spartans strengthened their determination to attack Athens. While recruiting troops to reinforce Sicily, they are also actively preparing to attack Attica and take measures to disintegrate the Athens League.
In the spring of 4 13 BC.
King Achilles of Sparta led his troops into Attica, reinforced Dekelia, used it as a base, plundered the countryside, and regularly changed the garrison in the city. This caused great losses to Athens. In the past, Spartans didn't invade for a long time. When they left, the Athenians could still use their land. But the enemy was stationed in the highlands all the year round, and King Achilles of Sparta personally commanded there, ravaging villages and some places from time to time and plundering property. The Athenians not only lost all the rural land, sheep and farm animals, but also a large number of slaves fled, most of whom were skilled craftsmen. It is possible to transport food by shortcut from Dekelia, but now we have to make a detour to Athens. In Athens, during the day, detachments take turns guarding the city; At night, everyone takes turns defending except the cavalry. There is no peace when winter goes and spring comes. More importantly, they fought on two fronts at the same time. Athens here is surrounded by Spartans, and Athens there is surrounded by Syracuse, an ancient city almost as big as Athens. All this has caused great financial pressure to the Athenians. They began to impose a 5% tariff on all goods imported and exported by citizens from the sea.
At Syracuse, the Syracuse decided to fight at sea. Spartans attacked milian, Pliem, by land. The ancient Syracuse lost the victory they almost won in the naval battle because of their disorder and collision. But they occupied the Athens fortress Miriam, Pliem. This made the situation of the Athenians even worse. Because the fortress stores a lot of their property, food and equipment. The fall of this place will inevitably lead to the depression and panic of the Athenians. Gusulagu hijacked the Athens supply ship and burned the Athenian shipbuilding timber in Corgna, gradually winning the support of most sicilian. Except the neutral Agrigentan, the whole Sicily is unified, and they are all on the side of the ancient Syracuse.
Ancient Syracuse reinforced their bows, and in the naval battle, they took the initiative to attack the Athenians' weak bows, which deeply cut the Athenians' bows. Javelin athletes on deck also posed a great threat to the Athenians. What's even more frightening is that the ancient people of ancient Sula slipped under the oars of Athenian ships and sailed close to them, bidding for guns for Athenian sailors. Due to the narrow water surface, Athens ships could not use the tactics of circling enemy ships and hitting their sides or stern, which caused great damage. The victory of the naval battle not only made the Syracuse people full of confidence in their navy, but also felt that they were very capable of dealing with the Athenian army.
When ancient Syracuse was ready to attack by sea and land again, Athens reinforcements led by Demos Tini and Yuri Milton arrived. They decided to attack quickly, give the enemy a duel, and want to take Pipoli first at night. At first, everything went well. They occupied the ancient city walls of Syracuse, so they thought they had won and their spirits began to wander. At this time, the enemy took the opportunity to fight back and defeated the Athenians. The Athenians were forced to flee for their lives, and the order was in chaos, and they did not know where to flee. In the dark, it is difficult to distinguish between friends and enemies, and many of our own people have been injured by mistake. There is only one escape route. Someone fell off the cliff and lost his life. The lost man was surrounded by Syracuse cavalry and killed. This unexpected victory restored all the confidence of ancient Syracuse.
In the face of defeat, Demos Tini advocated leaving Sicily immediately, keeping the only remaining maritime advantage of Athens and going back to deal with Spartans. But nicias didn't want to show weakness in public and refused to retreat. The Athenians did not take any measures at that time. The ancient Syracuse immediately prepared a new joint naval and army operation. Nicias began to regret not moving earlier. However, when they decided to evacuate, there was a solar eclipse. Superstitious nicias insisted on doing what the prophet said, and did not discuss the whereabouts of the army until three or nine days later, which delayed the military plane. The ancient Syracuse did not relax at all. They attacked the Athenians at the same time from sea and land on the chosen day, which caused great losses to the Athenians. They stopped being afraid of the Athenians and began to block the port to prevent the Athenians from escaping.
The Athenians regretted the expedition. Their retreat was blocked and their food was cut off, so that nicias almost went crazy. The generals agreed to fight Syracuse at sea. Nicias said to the Athenians, "If you can't win this battle, our enemies here will attack Athens immediately. Those of us who stay in Athens will be unable to resist the enemy's troops already there and the enemy who set out from here. So once you fall into the hands of the ancient Syracuse, your compatriots in your hometown will also fall into the hands of Spartans. " He stressed that the fate of all Athenians "depends entirely on this battle" and called on Athenians to show higher skills and greater courage than others for their motherland.
The Syracuse ancients and their allies who were ready to fight were better prepared. Gylippus made a speech to inspire them. He said, "Our biggest enemy has now collapsed and their fate has passed. Let's be United as one enemy and take revenge on the aggressors.
The battle has begun. This is a more intense battle than ever before. The oarsmen of both sides have nothing to hide, and the helmsmen compete with each other. More than 200 ships were crowded on the narrow water. A ship collided with each other and was hit by an enemy ship at the same time Sometimes two or more ships collide with one ship together. The ship collided with the ship like thunder, and the command and shouts were mixed. Soldiers on deck kept shooting javelins, arrows and stones at enemy ships; Once the ship meets the ship, the soldiers of both sides rush to the enemy ship, followed by fatal hand-to-hand combat. The Athenians desperately wanted to rush out of the port and seize the opportunity to return to the motherland safely; Syracuse tried its best to win and stop the Athenians from escaping.
When the battle at sea is going on, it is not easy for soldiers on the shore. Their nervousness changes with the change of the war situation. Suddenly I cried loudly, suddenly I began to pray, suddenly I felt that I had reached a safe state, and suddenly I felt that I was on the verge of death. After a long battle, the ancient Syracuse and their allies finally crushed the resistance of the Athenians. They cheered and shouted, chased the unarmed Athenians and drove them to the shore. The Athenians on the shore also made a mess, crying or moaning loudly; Sober people run to help their ships or defend their walls.
Post-war period
Demos Tiny and nicias want to equip the remaining ships overnight and rush out at dawn; But the sailors have lost their fighting spirit. They don't want to get on board. The Athenians decided to retreat from this land.
Ancient Syracuse Khmokradi saw the intentions of the Athenians. He visited government officials and pointed out to them that the Athenians might run away at night. He suggested that the whole army immediately leave the city, block roads, occupy and defend the pass. However, officials pointed out that the ancient Syracuse and their allies were intoxicated with the joy of victory after their great victory at sea, and it was impossible to persuade them to take up arms and go out to fight. Knowing that time was running out, Hermes had to follow his own plan. He sent one of his friends, with a cavalry, to the vicinity of Athens barracks, pretending to be friendly to the Athenians and telling them not to run away at night, because Gusulagu had guarded the road. The generals in Athens actually listened to these words and postponed the plan to retreat.
However, the ancient people of Syracuse and Gylippus made great efforts during this period. They blocked the rural roads that the Athenians might take, stationed guards at the ferries of large and small rivers, and dragged the Athenian ships back to their cities.
When the Athenians thought that the preparations had been completed and they could move, it was already two days after the naval battle. This is really a tragic moment. All Athenians are ashamed and miserable. The dead were not buried, and it was difficult for the wounded to take them away. Almost all the troops are in Lacrimosa. They have suffered a lot, and the unpredictable future may bring them even greater disasters. They can't forget how rich and proud they were when they started, and how shameful and down-and-out they are now! No Greek army has suffered such a crushing defeat. The generals tried their best to inspire and comfort their frustrated soldiers and rectify the 40 thousand scattered army. The retreating team was stopped from time to time along the way, stopping, taking one step forward and two steps back. On the fifth night of retreat, the Athenians lost all necessities, and many people were injured in the battle with the enemy. Nicias and Demos Tiny decided to light as many torches as possible and set out at night. They avoided the guards of ancient Syracuse and headed for the seaside. Because of marching at night, it is on the enemy's territory, and the enemy is not far away, the guards in Demos Tiny are in chaos, and some teams have lost contact with the big troops. At dawn, the main force arrived at the seaside. After dawn, Syracuse found the Athenians passing by, and they immediately pursued them. At noon, ancient Syracuse caught up with and surrounded the backward guard led by Demos Tini. The Athenians were trapped in a place surrounded by walls. Under the psychological control of victory, Gusulagu would rather protect himself than fight with the Athenians. They threw stones at the Athenians from all directions for a whole day until they were exhausted. Demos Tini was forced to surrender.
After confirming the news of Demos Tini's surrender, nicias offered to pay compensation for the Syracuse war in exchange for allowing them to return home, hoping to reach an agreement. However, Syracuse and Gylippus rejected these suggestions. They surrounded the Athenians and threw stones at their heads. It was not until the evening that it broke through 300 people. The next day, Nezias led his army forward, followed by the ancient Syracuse and their allies. Hungry and thirsty Athenians ran to the river and rushed into it. All the discipline has disappeared. Everyone wants to cross the river first. They crowded together and trampled on each other. Some people were stabbed to death by their own spears, others were entangled in luggage and swept away by water. On the other side of the river, ancient Syracuse condescended and shot at the Athenians. The Peloponnesians rushed into the river and killed the Athenians who were drinking water. Finally, the bodies of the dead were piled up in the river bed, and several people crossing the river were killed by enemy cavalry. Nicias surrendered to Gylippus. 300 people who escaped from prison were also arrested and taken prisoner. As many as 7000 Athenians were captured and the rest were killed at that time. The ancient Syracuse and their allies ignored Gylippus's advice and killed nicias and Demos Tiny.
The captured Athenians and their allies were imprisoned in a narrow stone pit without a roof. During the day and autumn, the poisonous hot and dirty air makes them miserable; At night, the autumn wind hits people and they can't keep out the cold. The number of patients is increasing day by day, and the bodies of the dead are piled there, stinking. They suffered from hunger and hardship for more than two months. Except the Athenians, the Italians who took part in the expeditionary force and the Greeks in Sicily, the rest of the prisoners were sold as slaves. The failure of the Athenians in Sicily was a complete failure. The navy and army were wiped out, and the whole army was wiped out. They lost nearly 50,000 people, including heavy infantry 1 10,000 people, lost 200 warships and paid a lot of war expenses.