Erineus.—The rear division under Demosthenês is pursued, overtaken, and forced to surrender.—Gylippus overtakes and attacks the division of Nikias.—Nikias gets to the river Asinarus—intolerable thirst and suffering of the soldiers—he and his division become prisoners.—Total numbers captured.—Hard treatment and sufferings of the Athenian prisoners at Syracuse.—Treatment of Nikias and Demosthenês—difference of opinion among the conquerors.—Influence of the Corinthians—efforts of Gylippus—both the generals are slain.—Disgrace of Nikias after his death, at Athens—continued respect for the memory of Demosthenês.—Opinion of Thucydidês about Nikias.—How far that opinion is just.—Opinion of the Athenians about Nikias—their steady over-confidence and over-esteem for him, arising from his respectable and religious character.—Over-confidence in Nikias was the greatest personal mistake which the Athenian public ever committed. 287-352 CHAPTER LXI. FROM THE DESTRUCTION OF THE ATHENIAN ARMAMENT IN SICILY, DOWN TO THE OLIGARCHICAL CONSPIRACY OF THE FOUR HUNDRED AT ATHENS. Consequences of the ruin of the Athenian armament in Sicily.—Occupation of Dekeleia by the Lacedæmonians—its ruinous effects upon Athens.—Athens becomes a military post—heavy duty in arms imposed upon the citizens.—Financial pressure.—Athens dismisses her Thracian mercenaries—massacre at Mykalêssus.—The Thracians driven back with slaughter by the Thebans.—Athenian station at Naupaktus—decline of the naval superiority of Athens.—Naval battle near Naupaktus—indecisive result.—Last news of the Athenians from Syracuse—ruin of the army there not officially made known to them.—Reluctance of the Athenians to believe the full truth.—Terror and affliction at Athens.—Energetic resolutions adopted by the Athenians—Board of Probûli.—Prodigious effect of the catastrophe upon all Greeks—enemies and allies of Athens as well as neutrals—and even on the Persians.—Motions of king Agis.—The Eubœans apply to Agis for aid in revolting from Athens—the Lesbians also apply, and are preferred.—The Chians, with the same view, make application to Sparta.—Envoys from Tissaphernês and Pharnabazus come to Sparta at the same time.—Alkibiadês at Sparta—his recommendations determine the Lacedæmonians to send aid to Chios.—Synod of the Peloponnesian allies at Corinth—measures resolved.—Isthmian festival—scruples of the Corinthians—delay about Chios—suspicions of Athens.—Peloponnesian fleet from Corinth to Chios—it is defeated by the Athenians.—Small squadron starts from Sparta under Chalkideus and Alkibiadês, to go to Chios.—Energetic advice of Alkibiadês—his great usefulness to Sparta.—Arrival of Alkibiadês at Chios—revolt of the island from Athens.—General population of Chios was disinclined to revolt from Athens.—Dismay occasioned at Athens by the revolt of Chios—the Athenians set free