Following a series of Syracusan Victory in the first year of the war, cultivating in the Syracusan Annexation of Himera, Athens launched a campaign to relieve their ally. After lack of progress, the Athenian General was replaced by the famour Greek soldier, Conon the Great. Conon denied any lack of discipline and marched his troops through the coldest winter in years, which had initially forced the Athenians to a halt.