The two fleets were almost equal, forty-seven to fifty galleys: the victory was decided by the knowledge and dexterity of the Greeks; but the ships were so closely grappled, that only twelve of the Goths escaped from this unfortunate conflict.
They affected to depreciate an element in which they were unskilled; but their own experience confirmed the truth of a maxim, that the master of the sea will always acquire the dominion of the land.

[28] [Footnote 2511: This is a singular mistake.

Gibbon must have hastily caught at his inexperience, and concluded that it must have been from youth.

Lord Mahon has pointed out this error, p.401.I should add that in the last 4to.

edition, corrected by Gibbon, it stands "want of youth and experience;"-- but Gibbon can scarcely have intended such a phrase .-- M.] [Footnote 26: See the acts of Germanus in the public (Vandal.l.ii, c.
16, 17, 18 Goth.l.iii.c.31, 32) and private history, (Anecdot.