This charging prow to prow, which had hitherto been thought want of skill in a helmsman, would be the Syracusans' chief manoeuvre, as being that which they should find most useful, since the Athenians, if repulsed, would not be able to back water in any direction except towards the shore, and that only for a little way, and in the little space in front of their own camp. The rest of the harbour would be commanded by the Syracusans;
Hain zuzen ere ordura arte pilotuen dorpetasuntzat jotzen zena, brankaz talka egitea, horixe izango zen beraien taktika handiena, horrek emango zielako abantaila nagusia, hots, atenastarrek, erasoa jasotzean, ezingo zutela bogarik egin lehorrera baizik, euren kanpamendua zegoen gune hurbil bezain meharrera, eta orduan beraiek portuaren jabe egingo zirela.