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[6] But when they were about to sail on the following day, on the night of the day before, the moon was eclipsed.1 Consequently Nicias, who was not only by nature a superstitiously devout man but also cautious because of the epidemic in the camp, summoned the soothsayers. And when they declared that the departure must be postponed for the customary three days,2 Demosthenes and the others were also compelled, out of respect for the deity, to accede.

1 27th August, 413 B.C.

2 "Thrice nine days," according to Thuc. 7.50.4; "another full period of the moon," according to Plut. Nic. 23.6.

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