Battle of Sphacteria: Third Stage

This is not Sphacteria--nor is it the fort in the north section of the island to which the Spartans retreat. But perhaps it gives you an idea of how the area and terrain might have looked. After the Spartan forces escaped to the fort, the Athenians, despite their vastly superior numbers and small losses in the previous battles, were unable to overpower the enemy. Finally, the Messenian general Chromon takes some light-armed troops and archers and finds his way along the precipices and areas left unguarded to a point above and to the rear of the Spartans' position.
		The Spartans are at last overpowered and induced to surrender. 292 of the original 420 soldiers are taken alive to Athens. "Nothing that happened in the war surprised the Hellenes so much as this. It was the general opinion that no force or famine could make the Spartans give up their arms, but that they would fight on as they could, and die with them in their hands." para\ gnw/mhn te dh\ ma/lista tw~n kata\ to\n po/lemon tou~to toi=j (/Ellhsin e)ge/neto.