History of the Peloponnesian War

At the very beginning of the following[*](414 B.C.) spring, the Athenians in Sicily set out from Catana and proceeded along the coast toward Megara, from which, as has been stated before,[*](cf. 6.4.2.) the Syracusans in the time of the tyrant Gelon had expelled the inhabitants, holding their territory themselves. Here they landed and ravaged

the fields; then, attacking a stronghold of the Syracusans without success, they went back again along the coast with both land-force and fleet to the river Terias, and going inland ravaged the plain and set fire to the grain. Meeting with a small force of Syracusans, they killed some of them and after setting up a trophy withdrew to their ships. Having sailed back then to Catana and supplied themselves with provisions from there, they advanced with their whole army to Centoripa,[*](Now Centorbi, twenty-seven miles north-west from Catana and near Mt. Aetna.) a

Sicel town; and when they had brought it over by capitulation they returned, burning at the same time the grain of the Inessians[*](The site of Inessa is doubtful (cf. 3.103.1).)

and Hyblaeans.[*](Hybla Gelcatis (6.62.5).) On their arrival at Catana they found that the horsemen had come from Athens, two hundred and fifty in number—with accoutrements but without the horses, for it was expected that horses would be procured in Sicily—as well as thirty mounted archers and three hundred talents[*](£60,000, $291,600.) of silver.