History of the Peloponnesian War

For as both fleets were numerous, and extended over a wide space of the sea; when they closed with each other, they did not easily distinguish, who were conquering, or being conquered; for this engagement, for one of Greeks against Greeks, was greater in the number of vessels than any of those before it.

After the Corinthians had pursued the Corcyraeans to land, they turned their attention to the wrecks, and their own dead, and got possession of most of them, so as to take them to Sybota, where their land force composed of the barbarians had come to their assistance. Now Sybota is a desert port of Thesprotis.

Having done this, they mustered again, and sailed against the Corcyraeans, who with their seaworthy ships, and such as were left, [*]( Probabilis est opinio Popponis, τὰς λοιπάς intelligi decem illas naves, quae ex 120 navibus Corcyraeorum superabant; nam pugnam ingressi erant cum navibus 110 (vid. cap. 47. 1) habebant autem universas 120. Vid cap. 25. 5. Göller.) in conjunction with those of the Athenians, on their side also sailed out to meet them, fearing lest they should attempt to land on their territory.

It was now late, and the Paean had been sung by them for the advance, when the Corinthians suddenly began to row sternwards, on observing twenty ships of the Athenians sailing up; which the Athenians had sent after the ten to help them fearing, (as was the case,) that the Corcyraeans might be conquered, and their own ten ships be [*]( Arnold compares II. 61. ταπεινὴ ὑμῶν ἡ διάνοια ἐγκαρτερεῖν ἅ ἔγνωτε and Herodotus VI. 109. ὀλίγους γὰρ εἶναι στρατῇ τῇ μήδων συμβάλλειν.) too few to aid them.