History of the Peloponnesian War

When the standards were raised on either side they joined battle and fought, both having many hoplites on the decks as well as many archers and javelin-men, for they were still equipped rather rudely in the ancient fashion.

And so the sea-fight was hotly contested, not so much by reason of the skill displayed as because it was more like a battle on land.

For when they dashed against one another they could not easily get clear, partly by reason of the number and throng of the ships, still more because they trusted for victory to the hoplites on the decks, who stood and fought while the ships remained motionless; and there was no cutting of the line,[*](διέκπλους was a breaking of the line so as to ram the enemy's ship in the flank or astern.) but they fought with fury and brute strength rather than with skill.

Accordingly there was everywhere much tumult and confusion in the sea-fight. The Attic ships, if they saw the Corcyraeans pressed at any point, came up and kept the enemy in awe; but their generals would not begin fighting, fearing to disobey the instructions of the Athenians.