y 
"ip 
‘ 
- 
> 
, 
"4 
appeared in the Neighbourhood of Syracufe. 255 
withftanding many of the Roman army were carried off by 
the fame peftilence *. 
Thus the Lyfimilian marfhes triumphed over a third army; 
and a number not lefs than 30,000 were added to thofe who 
had fallen of the foldiery of Nicias and of Imilcon. The 
practical confideration of thefe events belongs to the fuc- 
eeeding Section. 
Seer. I1I.—The fimplicity and uniformity of the preced- 
ing ftatements and narrative, preclude the neceffity for labo- 
rious inyeftigation and argument. The deductions to be made 
are unavoidably fimple and uniform; but their force and 
tendency may be more diftinétly perceived from a methodi- 
cal arrangement. 
1. Climate and feafon.—The climate of Sicily in general, 
and particularly of the city of Syracufe, is remarkably plea- 
fant during a confiderable part of the year. But the fummers 
are exceflively fultry; and this heat, operating on marfhy fitu- 
ations and ftagnant waters, never fails to engender malig- 
nant fevers. To thefe they are peculiarly liable m the fum- 
° 
mer and autumnal months, The peftilential difeafes which 
proved fo fatal to the armies of Nicias and Imilcon, and to 
thofe of the Carthaginians and the Romans, occurred either 
in the autumn or in the height of fammer; and, in every 
inftance, in the immediate vicinity of Syracufe. » 
- 2. Situation.—The camp of Nicias was near or at Plem- 
myrium ; of Imilcon, at Olympia; of Crifpinus, at Olympia 
alfo; and of Himilco and Hippocrates, at the head of the 
great harbour. The whole of this territory is a vaft marth, 
~ but partially covered with water even in fpring, extremely 
. offenfive in fummer, and noted, from time immemorial, for 
its infalubrity. 
 « 3. Condition of the armies.—The Athenian army was 
iw conftant action, and conftantly unfuccefsful. The army 
mee ore 
of Imilcon was in perpetual movement, but fortunate, and 
fall of courage. The adverfe armies, at the third fiege, were 
- ima ftate of inaGion. Thele are certainly confiderable dif- 
4 
ah: 
: * Tit. Liv. typis Barbore, 1775. Tom. III. Lib. xxiv, & xxv. p. 393 
‘ 
403. 
> ferences ; 
