History of the Peloponnesian War

When day came[*](Eighth day of the retreat.) Nicias led his army forward; but the Syracusans and their allies kept attacking in the same fashion, hurling missiles and striking them down with javelins on all sides.

The Athenians pushed on to the river Assinarus,[*](The modern Falconara, called also Fiume di Noto.) partly because they thought, hard pressed as they were on all sides by the attack of numerous horsemen and of the miscellaneous troops, that they would be somewhat better off if they crossed the river, and partly by reason of their weariness and desire for water.