The Athenians are eager to establish a position at Syracuse in preparation for the coming summer's campaign.

But they need to draw away the enemy, and in particular the Syracusan cavalry.

So they make use of a double agent--a Catanian trusted by the Syracusans.

He assures the Syracusans that the Athenians habitually spend the night within the walls of Catana, unarmed and at some distance from their encampment just outside the city.

Thus, the Syracusans are induced to mount a dawn attack on the Athenians at Catana, leaving their own city to be guarded by their Selinuntine allies.

Meanwhile, the Athenians board all of their forces and

sail into the Great Harbor, landing opposite the Olympieum.

Two columns and part of the crepidoma (the stepped platform on which the temple rose) remain today.